2017-03 5enses

MARCH 2017 | VOLUME 5, ISSUE 3 | 5ENSESMAG.COM

5enses

March MMXVII • Volume V, Issue III ~ oderint dum metuant ~ Copyright © 2017 5enses Inc. Contact us at 5ensesMag@Gmail.Com & 928-613-2076 Visit 5ensesMag.Com & ISSUU for more

In which: Mara Trushell

Steve Burk

4 16 18 5 6 7 + 10 8/9 11 20 12 21 14 22 gets a cable from the Prescott PC Gamers Group & plugs into playtime

Paolo Chlebecek

plays duck, duck, goose & spies a great sojourner worthy of added adoration

Kathleen Yetman

COVER IMAGE: “Pomme Rouge,” a painting by Neil Orlowski, 2011. Courtesy image. See page 12 for more.

Robert Blood

springs into a short speech & shares a wellspring of flowery images

drives a not-so-hard bargain & advocates self-produced privacy

gets on the cabbage wagon & trucks in invaluable vitamins

Peregrine Book Co. staff

takes a page from brilliant books & shines a light on illuminating texts

Alan Dean Foster

Here & (T)here

acquires a new take on old art forms & attributes proper attributes

Reva Sherrard

Discover events in and around Prescott and the surrounding area

702 West Gurley Prescott, AZ 86305 928 445 2323

Now arriving ...

More fun, eclectic art & décor from our buying trip to the World Market Center Sean is dedicating this month to painting Ravens

Mention this ad & get 20 percent off any Raven painting in March, 2017

Celebrate someone who’s making our community an even greater place

Discover ways to make a positive difference in our community

Or by appointment or coincedence

Oddly Enough

packs a weather-y punch & pleads for a more prosperous snowpack pact

Fresh art for creative minds OPEN 11 to 6

Get Involved

brushes up on art & develops a clearer picture of Prescott painter Neil Orlowski

Ty Fitzmorris

Sean Gote´Gallery

Prescott Peeps

plumbs heroic depths & hammers out mighty missed conceptions

James Dungeon

Publisher & Editor: Nicholas DeMarino Copy Editor: Susan Smart Featured Columnist: Alan Dean Foster Staff Writers & Columnists: Robert Blood, Paolo Chlebecek, James Dungeon, Ty Fitzmorris, Reva Sherrard, Mara Trushell, & Kathleen Yetman

Smart, 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

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OPEN DAILY 10AM-5PM •

brating Cele

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@ Snap Snap

5ENSESMAG.COM • MARCH 2017 • CONTENTS • 3

March multitudes

A special

Plant(s) of the Month

panorama

S

By Mara Trushell pring brings many wonderful things.

Warm weather, longer days, budding leaves, baby animals, and of course, flowers. In Prescott, an abundance of our spring flowers come from native shrubs, some that even go unnoticed until they blossom in a wide array of fragrance and shapes.

Displayed are only a few species that will begin to speckle color across the landscape this March. **** Visit the Highlands Center for Natural History at 1375 Walker Road, 928-776-9550, or Highlands Center.Org. Mara Trushell, 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.

Sugar Sumac (Rhus ovata). Photo by Sue Smith.

Pointleaf Manzanita (Arctostaphylos pungens).

Photo by Felipe Guerrero.

Lemonade Berry Bush (Rhus trilobata). Photo by David Moll.

Frémont’s Mahonia (Mahonia fremontii). Photo by Sue Smith.

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Cliff Fendlerbush (Fendlera rupicola). Photo by Mara Trushell.

TRAX

Greater Whitefronted Goose

Records

234 S. Montezuma St. 928-830-9042

Quick special orders Buy • Sell • Trade new & used vinyl & CDs “No one ever takes a photogra want to forget” ~unknown

Bird of the Month Photo by Steve Burk.

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By Steve Burk reater White-fronted Geese breed during summer in the far northern reaches of North America. Fall migration (mostly October through December) finds them traveling in large numbers to winter grounds, especially in the Central Valley of California, as well as eastern Texas and the coastal Gulf of Mexico region.

This medium-sized, brown goose occasionally can be seen in small numbers during winter on our Prescott lakes. Adult Greater White-fronted Geese have pink bills, a distinctive white band encircling the base of the bill, and dark lines/speckles on the belly. They are smaller than most Canada geese, being about the size of a Snow goose.

While seeing Greater White-fronted geese in the Prescott area can be challenging even for avid birders, one can definitely improve their chances by joining the Prescott Audubon Society and taking advantage of their PAS Rare Bird hotline. Another highly useful birding resource to be aware of is the website eBird.Org. eBird collects observations daily from birders around the globe in a massive citizen-sci-

ence effort, yielding a unique avian database on species populations and planet-wide biodiversity.

P

erhaps a word of caution should be injected here.

Before rushing to your computer to report your identification of Greater White-fronted Geese at a Prescott location, be aware that there are domestic geese that look quite similar to GWFG. These Graylag (barnyard) geese have been residents at Watson Lake for a number of years and have been mistaken many times for GWFG. By use of a bird identification field guide such as “Sibley’s Birds,” and careful study of the generally easily viewed Graylag geese, you’ll be well prepared when you do encounter the elegant Greater White-fronted geese in our area. Good birding.

ey

“The Eyes Have It” Spring 2017 17 Contemporary Photography by Prescott Area Photographers March 23—April 25 Reception Friday March 24 5 – 7 PM

[xob eht edistuo kniht] kniht]

In the ‘Tis Art Center Main Gallery 105 S. Cortez St. Prescott www.TisArtGallery.com

***** Visit Prescott Audubon Society at Prescott Audubon.Org. Contact them at Contact@ PrescottAudubon.Org. Stephen Burk is retired with a Ph.D. in atmospheric physics, has been a PAS board member and field trip coordinator, as well as Yavapai County eBird reviewer for six years.

5ENSESMAG.COM • MARCH 2017 • FEATURE • 5

I

Vegetable of the Month

Cabbage Photo by Kathleen Yetman.

C

By Kathleen Yetman abbage (Brassica oleracea) is a leafy vegetable grown for its heads of tightly-layered leaves. Modern-day cabbage varieties evolved from the wild cabbage of Europe thousands of years ago.

Cabbage is closely related to broccoli, cauliflower, brussels sprouts, kohlrabi and mustard greens, which are also cultivars of Brassica oleracea.

In Yavapai County, cabbages are planted in the spring through early winter for a nearly continual year-round harvest. Depending on the variety, a mature head of cabbage can take anywhere from 70 to 120 days from seed planting. Cabbage heads can be white in color or anywhere on the spec-

trums of green and purple. The leaves of different varieties are generally placed in one of three categories based on their texture: crinkled-leaf, loosehead savoy and smooth-leaf firm-head. What most people are used to seeing in stores is the light green or purple smooth-leaf cabbage. Napa cabbage originated in China in the 15th century and is widely used in Asian cuisine. It grows into an oblong shape and features crinkly light green leaves with white veins. The texture of the leaves gives Napa cabbage a fluff y effect, making it a great addition to salads.

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n the United States, the most common cabbage dish is coleslaw. Cabbage is a versatile vegetable, featured in cuisines around the world and can be prepared in numerous ways. Cabbage is one of the most popular vegetables to ferment; both kimchi and sauerkraut feature cabbage as the main ingredient, which is chopped and immersed in a salty brine until it achieves the desired tanginess. Cabbage is a good addition to soups, stir-fries and salads and makes excellent egg or spring rolls. Cabbage is always a great topping for tacos.

Cabbage is an excellent source of vitamins K, C, and B6 and a good source of manganese and fiber.

Red or purple varieties provide additional nutrients that have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. ***** The Prescott Winter Market is 10 a.m.-1 p.m.

Saturdays through April 29 at the Yavapai Regional Medical Center Pendleton Center parking lot, 930 Division St. The Prescott Valley Market is 3-6 p.m. Tuesdays through April 25 at the Harkins Theatres parking lot, at Glassford Hill Road and Park Avenue.

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

Peregrine Book Co.

Staff picks

“Every Time I Find the Meaning of Life, They Change It”

By Daniel Klein This philosophy book is fun and easy to read.

You read that right: fun and easy. Two words you wouldn’t normally use to describe a philosophy book. The author has made a craft of making philosophy something everyone can read, but it doesn’t take away from any of the big ideas throughout. ~Jon “High-Rise”

By J. G. Ballard I dare you: read the first sentence, then try to look away. Ha ha haaa. Ballard’s psychological thriller is a diabolically perspicacious, riveting free-fall into absolute social collapse. ~Reva “The Devourers”

By Indra Das Holy hell, is this book good. Das’ shapeshifter novel soars above its predecessors in both substance and style, a mesmerizing tale of werepredators and the twinned natures of humankind. The writing has real literary merit, mingling gruesomeness and beauty in ardent descriptive language. The concepts are original and

It’s Drag Time 7 & 9 p.m. Fri. & Sat., March 31 & April 1

Catered by Reva Sherrard “Walking to Martha’s Vineyard”

By Franz Wright Every word of this moving poetry collection is worth reading, more than once, while sipping tea (or whiskey), in front of the fireplace, while petting the cat. ~Jon

4AM Productions presents

convincing. I’m telling you, good stuff! ~Reva “Fortunately, the Milk”

By Neil Gaiman This book has it all: A dinosaur, pirates, a volcano god, aliens, ponies, wumpires, and, fortunately, the milk. ~Veri

@ PCA Stage Too (behind Prescott Center for the Arts)

Tickets: $15 online @ DragTime.BPT.ME $20 door Hosted by

Aimee V Justice

Persephone Hardbroom Kyng

Piper M. Shay

“Perdido Street Station”

By China Miéville Welcome to a world not unlike our own; welcome to a world very unlike our own. Mieville’s writing runs rampant with characters straight out of a fairy tale... or your own nightmares. He’s the master of Weird Fiction. Check this book out to see why. ~Jon “The Girl on the Train”

By Paula Hawkins If you haven’t seen the movie yet, DON’T! Told from three intertwining perspectives, this story is meant to be read (or listened to). It’s a hold-yourbreath mystery novel that does not disappoint. Your heart will thump — guaranteed. ~Hannah “The Occult”

By Colin Wilson Wilson was an adamant believer in science. In an attempt to take a nonbiased look at historical accounts of occult-related incidents, he begins to lean toward belief by the end of the book. ~Joe

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

5ENSESMAG.COM • MARCH 2017 • FEATURE • 7

Here & (T)here

Find out what's happening in and around Prescott Talks & presentations

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“Nutty McNut Takes a Train Ride & Gets Stickafied” • 11 a.m. Saturday, March 4: Children's author Laure Smith reads from her book and leads storytime. (Peregrine Book Co., 219A N. Cortez St., 928-445-9000, PeregrineBookCompany.Com)

monthly Natural History Book Club meeting. (Prescott College Natural History Institute, 312 Grove Ave., 928-350-2280, Prescott.Edu/Natural-History-Institute)

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“Star Party” • 7:30 p.m. Saturday, March 18: Enjoy and explore the night sky. Via the Prescott Astronomy Club. (Highlands Center for Natural History, 1375 S. Walker Road, 928-776-9550, HighlandsCenter.Org, PrescottAstronomyClub.Org)

“Dancing with Lockheed Stars: Tommy's Love Affair with Lockheed Airplanes” • 7 p.m. Wednesday, March 8: Tom Morgenfeld, famous test pilot, discusses testing the F-117, XF-22A, and X-35 aircrafts. An ERAU Prescott Aviation History Program lecture. (ERAU Davis Learning Center, 3700 Willow Creek Road, 928-777-6985)

“The Art of Brewing Your Own Kombucha” • 1 p.m. Sunday, March 19: Learn the whys, how-tos, and benefits of this DIY ancient elixir. Includes taste-testing, starter kit, and recipes. (HEARTsite, a private country retreat, Chino Valley, 928-830-4621, RSVP by March 12, $30)

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Zoo Yard Sale • 9 a.m. -4 p.m. March 31-April 2: Annual yard sale benefiting zoo animals and education programs. No admission required.

(Heritage Park Zoological Sanctuary, 1403 Heritage Park road, 928-778-4242, HeritageParkZoo.Org)

“Living History Adventure” • Saturday, March 11: Take a peek back at territorial Prescott through the activities like period gardening, cooking, handcrafts, blacksmithing, and more. A monthly event. (Sharlot Hall Museum, 415 W. Gurley St., 928-445-3122)

“Women Challenge the Lie” • 3-5 p.m. Saturday, March 11: Co-authors Sara Ryan and Shinay Tredeau discuss their book, “Women Challenge the Lie: 8 Radical Moves to Beyond Never Good Enough.” (Peregrine Book Co., 219A N. Cortez St., 928-445-9000, PeregrineBookCompany.Com)

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“The Development of Plate Tectonics Theory” • 6 p.m. Tuesday, March 14: John Hughes, retired geologist for ExxonMobil, discusses the development of plate tectonic theory. A monthly Central Arizona Geology Club meeting.

(Prescott Public Library, 215 E. Goodwin St., 928-777-1500, PrescottLibrary.Info, CentralArizonaGeologyClub.BlogSpot.Com)

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“High-Tech Navigation Before GPS: How the SR-71 Found its Targets” • 6-8 p.m. Thursday, March 16: Pat Bledsoe, U.S. Air Force colonel and Alaska Airlines captain discusses how, in 1957, the CIA and Air Force began a search for a reconnaissance aircraft that would be invulnerable to surface-to-air-missiles.

A Third Thursday Talk via Prescott Astronomy Club. (EmbryRiddle Aeronautical University, Building 74 Lecture Hall 107, 3700 Willow Creek Road, PrescottAstronomyClub.Org)

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“Spent Saints & Other Stories” • 3 p.m. Friday, March 17: Award-winning journalist Brian Smith discusses his debut book. (Peregrine Book Co., 219A N. Cortez St., 928-445-9000, PeregrineBookCompany.Com) “Swing into History” • 1 p.m. Saturday, March 18: Erik Larson performs songs of the Old West. (Phippen Art Museum, 4701 AZ 89, 928-7781385, PhippenArtMuseum.Org)

“Astrology in a Quantum World” • 2 p.m. Saturday, March 18: Sue Wilkes, discuses the astrological aspects of the country and president. (Peregrine Book Co., 219A N. Cortez St., 928-445-9000, PeregrineBookCompany.Com) “Women of the Pleasant Valley War” • 2 p.m. Saturday, March 18: Jayne Peace Pyle describes one of the bloodiest range wars in history and the women who suffered from fear, isolation, displacement, depression, and anxiety — and yet, stayed. (Sharlot Hall Museum, 415 W. Gurley St., 928-445-3122)

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“Man Overboard” • 11 a.m.-noon Tuesday, March 21: New York Times bestselling mystery author J.A. Jance discuses her new thriller. (Prescott Valley Public Library, 7401 E. Civic Circle, 928-864-8642, Catalog.YLN.Info/Client/En_US/PVPL) Professional Writers of Prescott • 6 p.m. Wednesday, March 22: A monthly Professional Writers of Prescott meeting. (Prescott Valley Public Library, 7401 E. Civic Circle, 928-864-8642) “Lost Treasures & the Lost Dutchman Mine” • 2 p.m. Saturday, March 25: Thomas Glove discusses his treasure hunting books. (Peregrine Book Co., 219A N. Cortez St., 928-445-9000, PeregrineBookCompany.Com) “13 Myths of 13 Days” • 2:30-4:30 p.m. Monday, March 27: Historian Bill Weiss

Prescott Valley Farmers Market • 3-6 p.m. Tuesdays: Weekly farmers market featuring local food and much more. (Harkins Theatres parking lot, Glassford Hill Road and Park Avenue, PrescottFarmersMarket.Org) Prescott Winter Farmers Market • 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturdays: Weekly farmers market featuring local food and much more. (Yavapai Regional Medical Center Pendleton Center parking lot, 930 Division St., PrescottFarmersMarket.Org)

“John Muir: Watch, Pray, & Fight!”

• 7 p.m. Thursday, March 23: Doug Hulmes, Prescott College professor and chautauquan, portrays John Muir, one of the founding fathers of environmental perspective in the West. The author of more than two dozen books, Muir was a Scottish immigrant, naturalist, explorer, inventor, and philosopher who explored and studied the Sierras and Alaska.

A monthly Prescott Audubon Society meeting. (Trinity Presbyterian Church, 630 Park Ave., PrescottAudubon.Org) PHOTO: Doug Hulmes performs as John Muir. Courtesy image.

Groups & games

LAN party • 10 a.m. -10 p.m. Saturday, March 4 : Play multiplayer computer games like “Killing Floor,” “Rocket League,” “Counterstrike,” and “Tribes.” A monthly Prescott PC Gamers Group Event. (Step One Coffee House, 6719 E. Second St., Ste. C, Prescott Valley, PPCGG.Com, $10)

shares newly released info from formerly secret American and Russian archives that provide vastly greater detail and nuance on the events surrounding the “missiles in October.”

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

“Coast to Coast” • 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday, March 4: Live Comic Con live streaming event. Special guests include Jim Lee, co-publisher of DC Comics, Dan Slott, writer of “The Amazing SpiderMan,” and Charles Soule, writer of “Curse Words.” Plus cash prize costume contest. (Peregrine Book Co., 219A N. Cortez St., 928-445-9000, PeregrineBookCompany.Com) Prescott Area Boardgamers • 4-8 p.m. first and third Wednesdays: Play board games.

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

Nature, health, & outdoors Jay's Bird Barn bird walks • 8 a.m. March 3, 11, 15, 23, & 30: Local, guided bird walks.

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

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“Sketching Birds” • 1-4 p.m. Sunday, March 5: Sketch birds with artist Neil Rizos.

(Highlands Center for Natural History, 1375 S. Walker Road, 928-776-9550, HighlandsCenter.Org, RizosArt.Com, $22) “Plant Physiology: A Closer Look at How Plants Grow, Move, and … Talk?!”

• 6:30 p.m. Thursday, March 9: Mara Trushell, Highlands Center education director, discusses plant physiology. (Highlands Center for Natural History, 1375 S. Walker Road, 928776-9550, HighlandsCenter.Org)

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Prescott Audubon bird walk • 9 a.m. Saturday, March 11: Monthly bird walk. (Highlands Center for Natural History, 1375 S. Walker Road, 928-7769550, HighlandsCenter.Org, PrescottAudubon.Org) “Red” • 9:30-11 a.m. Friday, March 17: Discuss Terry Tempest Williams' book “Red: Passion & Patience in the Desert.” A

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“Game Time” • 3 p.m. Thursday, March 2: Open game night for enthusiasts of all ages and origin stories, facilitating all tabletop, card, and board games. (Peregrine Book Co., 219A N. Cortez St., 928-445-9000, PeregrineBookCompany.Com)

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“Death Cafe” • 5:30 p.m. Thursday, March 9: 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.” (Peregrine Book Co., 219A N. Cortez St., 928-445-9000, PeregrineBookCompany.Com)

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GYCC LGBTQ Coalition • 6 p.m. Tuesday, March 21: Monthly general meeting open to all LGBTQ and allies in Yavapai County with guest speakers.

(First Congregational Church, 216 E. Gurley St., Facebook.

Com/LGBTQYavapai)

“Writing From Your Subconscious” • 6 p.m. Wednesday, March 22: A workshop with writers Carol Levin and Jeffery Kirkendall. A monthly Professional Writers of Prescott meeting. (Prescott Valley Public Library, 7401 E. Civic Circle, 928-864-8642, Catalog.YLN.Info/Client/En_US/PVPL) NAZGEM Support 7 p.m Friday, March 24: Monthly support group meeting for members of the transgender and beyond gender binaries community as well as family, friends, and youth. (Granite Peak Unitarian Congregation Education Center, 882 Sunset Ave., Facebook.Com/LGBTQYavapai)

Performing arts

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Open mic poetry • 7-9:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 8: Monthly poetry jam presented by Decipherers Synonymous. (The Beastro, 117 N. McCormick St., 971-340-6970, TheBeastro.Com)

“Hangmen” • 6 p.m. Thursday, March 9: Via satellite, The National Theatre Live production of “Hangmen,” a pub-set comedy about the second-best hangman in Oldham. (Yavapai College Performing Arts Center, 1100 E. Sheldon St., 928-776-2000, YCPAC.Com, $10-$15)

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“La Taviata” • 10:55 a.m. Saturday, March 11: Via satellite, The Metropolitan Opera’s production of “La Traviata,” about the doomed courtesan Violetta Valéry. (Yavapai College Performing Arts Center, 1100 E. Sheldon St., 928-776-2000, YCPAC.Com, $12-$24) Open mic poetry • 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 22: Poet Dan Seaman emcees monthly open mic poetry. (Peregrine Book Co., 219A N. Cortez St., 928-445-9000, PeregrineBookCompany.Com)

“How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying” • 7:30 p.m. March 23-25, 30 & 31, & April 1 & 6-8; 2 p.m.

March 26, April 2, & April 9: A clever lampoon of life on the corporate ladder with music by Frank Loesser. Directed by Bruce Lanning. (Prescott Center for the Arts, 208 N. Marina St., 928-445-3286, PCA-AZ.Net, $16-$25)

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“Arsenic & Old Lace” • 7 p.m. March 24, 25, 31, & April 1; 2:30 p.m. March 25, 26, & April 1: Joseph Kesselring’s farcical black comedy revolving around the Brewster family, descended from the “Mayflower,” but now composed of insane homicidal maniacs. (Prescott Valley Performing Arts Family Theater, PV Entertainment District, 2982 Park Ave., 928-583-4684 $10)

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“Idomeneo” • 10:55 a.m. Saturday, March 25: Via satellite, The Metropolitan Opera’s production of “Idomeneo,” Mozart’s story set in the aftermath of the Trojan War. (Yavapai College Performing Arts Center, 1100 E. Sheldon St., 928-776-2000, YCPAC.Com, $12-$24) Contra Dance • 7-7:30 p.m. lesson; 7:30-10 p.m. dance Saturday, March 25: Contra dancing. Calls by Michaela White, music by Chupacabras. Via Folk Happens. (First Congregation Church, 216 E. Gurley St., 928-925-5210, FolkHappens.Org, $4-$8)

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“A Contemporary Evening” • 6 p.m. Wednesday, March 29: Via satellite, The Bolshoi Ballet takes on a triptych of works by Igor Stravinsky, Carl Czerny, and Leonid Desyatnikov. (Yavapai College Performing Arts Center, 1100 E. Sheldon St., 928-776-2000, YCPAC.Com, $10-$15) “Hamlet” • 7:30 p.m. Friday, March 31: The National Players Production of “Hamlet,” featuring an edgy, challenging portrait of William Shakespeare’s conflicted prince. (Yavapai College Performing Arts Center, 1100 E. Sheldon St., 928-776-2000, YCPAC.Com, $20-$38)

31 & 1

“It’s Drag Time” • 7 & 9 p.m. March 31 & April 1: It’s time for a drag show, featuring Aubrey Ghalichi, Persephone Hardbroom Kyng, and Piper M. Shay, hosted by Aimee V Justice. A 4AM Productions event. (Prescott Center for the Arts Stage Too, alley between Cortez and Marina streets behind Peregrine Book Co., DragTime.BPT.ME, $15-$20)

Visual arts Arts Prescott Cooperative Gallery • March 1- March 23: Photography by Nicole Fetter • March 24- April 26: “O Tucker Photography,” featuring fine art photography that is both inspiring and technically excellent, including landscape and nature shots printed on metal by Archie Tucker, opening reception is March 24, 4th Friday Art Walk.

(Arts Prescott Cooperative Gallery, 134 S. Montezuma St., 928-776-7717, ArtsPescott.Com) The Beastro • New art. 4th Friday Art Walk participant. (The Beastro, 117 N. McCormick St., 928-778-0284, TheBeastro.Org) 4th Friday Art Walk • 5-7 p.m. Friday, March 24: Monthly art walk including artist receptions, openings, and demonstrations at more than 18 galleries. (ArtThe4th.Com)

“Voilà Tour” A collection of events featuring the intersection of French and American music, art, food, and more. See the full schedule and find out more at VoilaTour.Fr. Plus these highlights ...

• 5-7 p.m. Wednesday, March 29: “A Taste of France,” featuring food and wine by chef Marie-Pierre Gall, live action painting by Cattaneo, and music by CadiJo. (Mountain Artists Guild, 228 N. Alarcon St., 928-445-2510, MountainArtistsGuild.Org, $10+) • 2-4 p.m. Friday, March 31: “From France with Love,” concert benefiting the Highlands Center for Natural History, featuring music by Gaëlle Buswel and CadiJo with Tom Agostino and Folk Sessions musicians, live action painting by Cattaneo and live glass bead demos by Bénou, plus food and wine by chef Marie-Pierre Gal. (Highlands Center for Natural History, 1375 S. Walker Road, 928-776-9550, HighlandsCenter.Org, $20+) • 8-11 p.m. Friday, March 31: Music by Gaëlle Buswel and The CheekTones, plus wine by Alexandre Gall. (The Raven Café, 142 N. Cortez St., 928-717-0009, RavenCafe.Com, varies) • Saturday, April 1: “ Voilà Tour,” main event featuring Fanny Melili and Chino Valley’s own Drew Ryn, plus pretty much everything listed above, and more. (Prescott Valley Event Center, 3201 Main St., Prescott Valley, 928-772-1819, PrescottValleyEventCenter.Com, $31-$81) IMAGE: Gaëlle Buswell promotional photo. Courtesy image.

Gurley Street Coffee • March 15- 31: “Caffeinated Art Contest,” free art contest, all artwork must be coffee-related, no size or medium restrictions, with prizes for top three. Winners will be chosen during opening reception at 6 p.m. Friday, March 31. (Gurley Street Coffee, 318 W. Gurley St., 928-515-1584) Hassayampa Inn • New art. 4th Friday Art Walk participant. (Hassayampa Inn, 122 E. Gurley St., 928-778-9434, HassayampaInn.Com) Huckeba Art Gallery • New art. 4th Friday Art Walk participant. (Huckeba Art Gallery, 227 W. Gurley St., 928-445-3848, Huckeba-Art-Quest.Com) Ian Russell Gallery • New art. 4th Friday Art Walk participant. (Ian Russell Gallery, 130 S. Montezuma St., 928-445-7009, IanRussellArt.Com) The Local • March 1-April 15: “Our Connection to Nature,” featuring fine art by Donna Carver, DonnaCarver.Com, opening reception is noon to 2:30 p.m. Thursday, March 2. (The Local, 520 W. Sheldon St., 928-237-4724) ’Tis Art Center & Gallery • Feb. 15-March 14: “Photo Elegance: A Passion for Capturing a Moment That Lives on Forever,” featuring photos by Regina Helstrom and George Lewis in the Mezzanine Gallery, 4th Friday Artists Reception, in the Mezzanine Gallery.

• Feb. 23-March 21: “Making Our Mark 2017,” featuring work by the Contemporary Printmakers Group of Prescott, in the Main Gallery.

• March 16-April 14: “Joy in Brushes & Beads,” featuring watercolors and acrylic paintings by Anita Nugent and beaded jewelry by Pam Conner, in the Mezzanine Gallery, opening reception is March 24, 4th Friday Art Walk.

• March 23-April 25: “The Eyes Have It,” annual spring photography exhibit, featuring contemporary works by area photographers, opening reception is March 24, 4th Friday Art Walk. (‘Tis Art Center & Gallery, 105 S. Cortez St., 928-775-0223, TisArtGallery.Com) Mountain Artists Guild • Feb. 27-April 28: “Cultures & Customs” gallery show.

(Mountain Artists Guild, 228 N. Alarcon St., 928-445-2510, MountainArtistsGuild.Org) Mountain Spirit Co-op • New art. 4th Friday Art Walk participant. (Mountain Spirit Coop, 107 N. Cortez St., 928-445-8545, MountainSpiritCo-Op.Com) Peregrine Book Co. • New art from Dana Cohn. 4th Friday Art Walk participant.

(Peregrine Book Co., 219A N. Cortez St., 928-445-9000, PeregrineBookCompany.Com) Phippen Art Museum • March 4-July 23: “By the Light of the Moon” exhibition.

Special events include March 3-5 “Art to Flowers” display by local florists and 1 p.m. Saturday, March 4 art demonstration, “Painting Techniques of the Nocturnal Setting with Bill Anton.” (Phippen Art Museum, 4701 AZ 89, 928-778-1385, PhippenArtMuseum.Org) Prescott Center for the Arts Gallery • Feb. 13-March 25: “The World in Miniature,” featuring grand art in tiny proportions.

• March 31-April 23: “Youth Scholarship Exhibit,” featuring art from area youth.

(Prescott Center for the Arts, 208 N. Marina St., 928-4453286, PCA-AZ.Net) Prescott Winery • New art. 4th Friday Art Walk participant. (Prescott Winery, 216 N. Alarcon St., 928-350-8467, PrescottWinery.Com) Random Art • New art. 4th Friday Art Walk participant. (Random Art, 214 N. McCormick St., 928-308-7355, RandomArt.Biz) The Raven Café • New Art. 4th Friday Art Walk participant. (The Raven Café, 142 N. Cortez St., 928-717-0009) Sean Goté Gallery • New art. 4th Friday Art Walk participant. (Sean Goté Gallery, 702 W. Gurley St., 928-445-2323) Thumb Butte Distillery • New art. 4th Friday Art Walk participant. (Thumb Butte Distillery, 400 N. Washington Ave., 928-443-8498, ThumbButteDistillery.Com) Van Gogh’s Ear • New art. 4th Friday Art Walk participant. (Van Gogh’s Ear, 156 S. Montezuma St., 928-776-1080, VGEGallery.Com) Yavapai College Art Gallery • Jan. 4-March 6: “Altared Realities: Toward Atonement,” featuring photography-based prints by Randy Waln.

• March 10-April 6: “Under the Surface,” featuring work focusing on the meditative process and subconscious zone by Sara Kriehn and Denise Yaghmourian, with opening reception is March 24th, 4th Friday Art Walk.

(Yavapai College Art Gallery, 1100 E. Sheldon St., 928-4457300, YC.Edu)

9

Planetary appropriation On drawing a line in the sand

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By Alan Dean Foster was born here. This is my culture: all of it.

I cannot “appropriate” what I was born to.

By born here, I mean on this world.

Planet Earth. I am, at base, not a tribalist.

Don’t get me wrong. I’m very glad to have been born into the largest, most powerful, and sometimes (though not always) the “best” tribe: the USA. But my home is the planet. Its cultures are my culture.

In the past couple of decades there has been a lot of talk, not to mention yelling and screaming, over something called cultural appropriation.

To give one example, as residents of the state of Arizona we are probably more familiar than most with the term, given the interminable arguments over what constitutes cultural appropriation of Native American art.

There’s a fine line (and there has to be a line) between utilizing cultural memes out of admiration and as the basis for one’s own artistic endeavors.

The best way to do this is via authentication. But even with authentication the lines can blur.

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ake sand paintings. If the Navajo Nation was able to collect a royalty not only on every cheap rendition of a sand painting that’s sold in the Southwest but also on every skirt, t-shirt, dinner plate, light switch cover, piece of upholstery and bedsheet that utilizes those ancient patterns, they wouldn’t need to bother with a casino in the boondocks east of Flagstaff. But it can’t because, for better or worse, the use of those patterns have become so widespread not only in the U.S. but across the world that fighting all the users would cost more than could be reaped in income. Navajo sand painting has become a part of world culture.

Of course, none of these millions of imitations are genuine because they’re not complete (the copies copy other copies, which are taken from originals left deliberately incomplete by their makers), but that doesn’t trouble the manufacturers of pottery, bedsheets, etc. Nor, apparently, the millions of buyers.

What the Navajo have been able to do, and the Aborigines of Australia and Panama hat makers in Ecuador (you did know that’s where “Panama” hats come from, didn’t you?) and Shona stonecarvers in Zimbabwe and, lately, Champagne producers in Champagne, is label the products of their culture as authentic representations of their particular culture. You can buy a Sami knife in Finland, but only those made by the Sami carry with them certificates of authenticity. Russia is full of imitation lacquer paintings, primarily on boxes, but only those from the three villages most

or applauded, but not forbidden.

When the Mexican composer Silvestre Reveueltas wrote the symphonic piece “Sensemaya,” was he “appropriating” European musical traditions in utilizing a standard symphony orchestra? Every classical composer sooner or later employs folk tunes from other cultures in their work; sometimes overtly, sometimes without any attribution at all. Pearl Buck won the Pulitzer and the Nobel for literature largely for her depictions of peasant life in China. Does that constitute an “appropriation” of Chinese culture? If Edgar Allen Poe truly invented the modern detective story with “The Murders in the Rue Morgue,” is every subsequently written detective tale an appropriation of American culture?

Alan Dean Foster’s

Perceivings

famous for the art are allowed to legally indicate their origins.

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s a citizen of Planet Earth I believe that this is all my culture, too. If I want to make a Sami-style knife or carve greenstone or make a Panama Hat or paint the Dreamtime, no one should be able to stop me. What I cannot do is claim that my work is an authentic representation of that portion of terrestrial culture, because I’m not Sami or Shona or Ecuadorian or a child of the Outback. Nor would I claim to be. I’m proud to be a citizen of planet Earth and to be able, sometimes in words, to make use of various aspects of its multiplicity of cultures. For that I can be criticized

10 • COLUMN • MARCH 2017 • 5ENSESMAG.COM

This one is art commentary from China.

I

love this planet. I love its seas, its forest, its deserts and mountains. I love its people and their multitudinous ways and inventions, their music and dances and stories.

I will continue to utilize them in my own work because terrestrial culture is my culture, and I glory in it all. Meanwhile, others are welcome to borrow from my own imaginations.

As long as they don’t try to copyright it as authentic me. ***** 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 AlanDeanFoster.Com.

Sure, but where was its programmer from?

Image components public domain.

Illustration by 5enses.

Myth & Mind: Thor Strength & sudden light

By Reva Sherrard Thor had a mind to go fishing. Striking the head off a bull to use as bait, he demanded the giant Hymir take him out in his boat. Far they rowed out to sea. Hymir caught two whales on his line. “We’ll turn back now,” he said. “It’s not good to go into deeper waters than this.”

But Thor rowed on, and where there was no bottom to the sea and the sky closed grimly over the tops of black swells rearing higher than mountains, he cast his bait down on a long, long line and waited. Soon a bite nearly wrenched the line from his grasp. The giant’s boat juddered on the dark water, its planks creaking, as Thor braced himself and pulled with all his might.

With a roar as if the very ocean rose against him, the terrible head of the Midgard Serpent breached the deep and yawned over the boat,

A scene from Ragnarök, the final battle between Thor and Jörmungandr.

From “Walhall, die Götterwelt der Germanen,” ca. 1905, public domain.

Thor’s iron hook wedged fast in its jaw.

They say that none have seen fearful things who did not see this: the massy weed-hung head of the world-encircling snake disorganizing the swells, deadly venom dribbling from its jaws, and Thor staring back in awful fury while thunder growled in the clouds overhead and lightning stabbed red from his eyes. As the thunder god reached for his hammer, Hymir, in terror, cut the fishing-line, and the serpent’s head sank back under the waves.

They also say that when all the gods meet their nemeses at Ragnarok, Thor will battle the Midgard Serpent and strike it dead. But its venom will have doomed him, and he will go only nine paces before death overtakes him, too.

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Thor and the Midgard Serpent from the Altuna runestone at Altuna church, Uppland, Sweden.

Photo by Eigenes Werk, Creative Commons 1.0.

*****

arch is a good time to think about Thor: defender of gods and humans, wielder of lightning and thunder, and implacable enemy of the forces of mindless destruction. Almost as famous as himself, his hammer Mjölnir was invoked by the Norse to hallow (fill with holiness, and thus protect) places, newborns, marriages, and funerals. He is a protector as old as the Indo-Europeans. His Indian cousin is Indra, commander of storms, whose name is related to a Proto-Indo-European root meaning the flow or fall of water (*dheu, source of “dew”), and whose weapon is the Vajra, literally “thunderbolt” in Sanskrit.

If the year is a directional wheel with Midwinter in the north and Midsummer in the south, then the year dawns in the east with the Spring Equinox (March 20th this year). As a deity of sudden light, Thor’s home is in the east with Jotunheim, region of the giants only he is strong enough to defeat by force. Likewise, Indra is often depicted as a guardian on the eastern walls of Hindu temples. Both fought titanic serpents: Indra battled Vritra, “the enveloper,” and by so doing freed the rains and rivers to flow, while Thor meets his match in the snake who holds the oceans together with its encircling body — and who will release

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them at the onset of Ragnarok. hor’s essential qualities are strength, quickness to strike, and his constant defensive war against giants called jötnar (singular jötunn) and þurs, who seek to breach the boundaries and take the treasures of Asgard. These are ill-defined beings; they can be beneficent and attractive, like jötnar Loki and Skađi, or monstrous enemies. The þurs (þ = th) are associated with the þ-rune, of the same name, which in turn is associated with defensive magic and striking against enemies. The Norwegian Rune Poem offers this terse description: þurs vældr kvinna kvillu; kátr værdr fár af illu — meaning, þurs is women’s torment; few have cheer from ill. It’s interesting that harm to women is the attribute by which the poem represents þurs, which are known from myth to harm all sorts of things without regard for sex. He who harms women, however, is an enemy of society and all the crafts and learning a culture can develop only when a basic set of laws is respected — and Thor is his enemy. His elemental might and unsleeping vigilance are a necessary defense for Ođinn’s shamanic wisdom, Freyja’s healing and seer-craft, and all the creative forces of nature and society exemplified in the gods.

Thor is not the quickest wit in the Norse pantheon. His actions are much quicker, and sometimes rash. His power — as a concept, archetypal or natural force, or mythic reality — is pure courage and might in the service of life. He is the thunderbolt of the sun in the moment of its greatest power at dawn. Justice, wisdom, tolerance, skill, beauty: the best of the gods, and the best of humanity, are the things most vulnerable to the depredations of ignorance, greed, and inertia.

Thor’s brute strength is equal to that of the most dire monsters the mind can conceive. What makes him a god is that he uses it to protect. ***** Reva Sherrard works at Peregrine Book Company, studies Old Norse religion, and is writing a novel.

5ENSESMAG.COM • MARCH 2017 • FEATURE • 11

Seeing 2.0

Neil Orlowski's storied art career yields insights in sight

By James Dungeon [Editor’s note: The following interview was culled from conversations between the reporter and Neil Orlowski. Check this story online at 5ensesMag. Com for an update about Orlowski’s forthcoming website. He also plays keyboard in Funk Frequency, who plays regularly around Prescott.]

How did you end up in Prescott?

I cam here for recovery, for treatment. It’s not something that I’ve intentionally hidden or anything, but, yeah, I came here in 2007 and have been here ever since. Originally, I’m from Leavenworth, Kansas, where I grew up. I went to at school Washington University in St. Louis, majored in illustration and got a BFA. Then I moved back to Kansas City and lived there until 2000, when I moved to Tucson, where my parents lived. I was there until 2007, when I moved to Prescott.

How far back does art go in your life?

I was drawing ever since I was a little kid. I’d draw anything, really. I remember when I was little, my mom would suggest I draw a bird or something like that. I used to draw on the church bulletins every Sunday. I was an incredibly shy little kid, so art and drawing was something I could do on my own. I got

recognized for art at a pretty early age. I won tickets to a show in Kansas City for a drawing I did for my dad for Father’s Day when I was a 7-year-old. I even had a show at the local Leavenworth public library when I was 14. Art was just something I did all the time. I have one sibling, an older brother. He was the athletic one, and I was the artist. My artwork just kept evolving. I entered another art competition as a kid, won a bike in a state art competition, got several scholastic art awards, and I also went to an art camp at Kansas University one summer in high school. … Our dining room table was always filled with stuff I was making. Sometimes it was threedimensional cardboard stuff. My mom was always especially encouraging. My dad died when I was 9. I took a few lessons, but what I remember was picking up little things, not necessarily learning how to draw or make art in general. I drew a lot of monsters as a kid, the classic movie kind. I was totally into that stuff. I actually tried to make an 8 mm movie when I was kid and wrote a script and stuff like that.

I was always trying to get my friends involved. A big visual influence on me was the Society of Illustrators annuals which I remember ordering from a mail order book company. The illustrators of the ’70s were really playing with techniques and design, which was very inspiring to me. I wanted to emulate that. I created my own illustrations for hypothetical businesses and publications. And later on, I got publicized in a couple of them. That was surreal.

I’ve always wondered what happens to people who win those awards. You actually kept pursuing art, obviously.

Definitely. I got a full scholarship to Washington University. You know, I’ve been very fortunate through all of this. I was just doing the best I

12 • FEATURE • MARCH 2017 • 5ENSESMAG.COM

LEFT TO RIGHT: “Klimt Cat,” illustrait detail, 2009; “Rooftop Santa,” illu 2016; “Portrait Study,” 2016; “Pusc All oil paintings and imag could do and it was recognized. If it weren’t for other people acknowledging and recognizing it, I would’ve never been able to go to school like that. I came from a lower-middle class family and my father owned a small business in a small town. Going to a school of that caliber wouldn’t have been an option had it not been for the scholarship. In art school, I loved creating my own illustrations for hypothetical businesses and things like that. Head shops and album covers were really popular at the time, I remember, and I loved doing lettering and designs for that. My education was in illustration, and my painting was always more self-taught. The intention was always to go into illustration along with graphic design. Like I said, I really liked to design typography and lettering of all kinds. I still do. I kind of wish I’d gotten in to painting in college, but I didn’t. I did get into all kinds of media, and used water color, acrylic, mixed media, pen and ink. I was all over the place. I got to go to London on a special exchange program that my school had with Goldsmith’s College. That was my

ton for Hallmark, 1986; “Self Portrait” ustration for Hallmark, 1989; “Annie,” ch Ridge,” 2016; Funk Frequency logo. ges by Neil Orlowski. Courtesy images. first and only time abroad, in the fall of 1983. That was when I was really exposed to very traditional, classic paintings at all of these amazing museums.

We took trips to Paris and Amsterdam and places like that to see more. The National Portrait Gallery in London was my favorite. I loved portraiture, and I still do, too. I did a self-portrait while I was there that ended up in the Student Society of Illustrators publication. I was also involved in music in college.

That’s always played a big part in my life. I’d taken piano lessons when I was a kid for a few years and started playing on my own in a couple of bands in school, usually rock or pop, then alternative rock in college. I played keyboard. I did all the illustrations for our flyers and posters all around campus. Well, anyway, at the end of college, Hallmark came recruiting at my school. I’d already planned on moving back to Kansas City, and my girlfriend at the time was also from Leavenworth, so I moved to Kansas City and got a job at Hallmark. I spent 13 years there from 1984 to 1997.

The greeting card company? No way you’re skipping over all of that. What was it like?

I went in as an introductory artist and left as a senior design supervisor. It was an amazing experience. It was the biggest art department in the world at that time in the 1980s. I’d hate to estimate how many people, but that’s what it was known as. There was so much creativity there. It wasn’t just what people produced, but what their interests were. You were basically working in cubicles, but people would have their whole space decorated. I was exposed to things like Asian art like Japanese woodblock prints and South American artists I’d never been exposed to. One girl had all these fiber arts all over her booth.

It was a really rich environment to work in. Sometimes I might not have realized it, but was amazing.

You got inspired when you saw all of that stuff — whole genres of art you’d never really seen before.

What kind of art did you create there?

Hallmark had all these different lines of products from gift wrap to cards to three-dimensional sculptures for promotions, and I pretty much did all of it. There were also creative workshops by visiting designers and illustrators, some product-related and some not. I facilitated a couple of painting workshops for fellow employees, too. I even did some music for some in-house projects, including promotional videos and presentations. That was pretty cool. Through my connections with Hallmark, I did some freelancing on the side, too, and that was pretty interesting. I even did some posters for several Hallmark Hall of Fame Productions through an outside design agency which were little TV things done by an outside agency. I had stuff printed on billboards in Kansas City. Through another connection, I did music and stop-motion animation for some 10-second TV spots for a merchant group that were a lot of fun. It was a lot of things.

How did you grow as an artist during this time?

Just that exposure to all of these different styles and genres, that influenced me. I remember when I first walked in there and a guy who had been brought over to Hallmark from Italy who’d been a set designer there, and he painted these tiny things so intricately. It was amazing. I’ve always been loose and big with my art. There was a woman who worked on patterns, she would have these whole color palettes laid out and would work in that set of colors to do these beautiful, very traditional designs.

And she would do so much with that limited palette.

That’s something I learned at Hallmark: to work with fewer options within a sometimes restrictive set of parameters. Having fewer options can actually be more freeing and pushes you to be more creative. … It was Hallmark, so obviously the bread and butter was greeting cards, but I also did gift bags and things like that, too. Another great thing about Hallmark was that they sent you on research trips. It was amazing. They’d send a group of six or eight of us to New York for four days to basically go around to all these museums and look at store windows and shops. You just ate up design and saw what all the new trends were. I worked in different departments in Hallmark while I was there, the gamut, basically everything. Eventually I was supervising and directing some projects as well. I was playing a lot of music, too. I played with a couple of groups, and also did some freelance music including a couple of inhouse videos for Sprint, and music for a logo I.D. — just three or five seconds — but that was pretty cool.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 19 >>>

13

News From the Wilds Weather Average high temperature: 59.4 F (+/-4.6 ) Average low temperature: 28.6 F (+/-3.5) Record high temperature: 83 F (March 18, 2007) Record low temperature: 2 F (March 1, 1913) Average precipitation: 1.68” (+/-1.54”) Record high precipitation: 7.11” (1918) Record high snowfall: 34.2” (1973) Record low precipitation: 0” (4.4 percent of years on record) Max daily precipitation: 3.21” (March 3, 1938)

Sharp-shinned Hawks migrate north through the Mogollon Highlands now, and by the end of the month can be seen in certain spots in the west in densities of up to 100 per day. Photo by Ty Fitzmorris.

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By Ty Fitzmorris arch is an alluring month in the Mogollon Highlands, but ultimately a deceptive one. Glorious sunny days abound, glittering with butterflies and migrant songbirds, and highlighted with the earliest wildflowers and luminescent leaves. But March is also one of our wettest months of the year, and most of that moisture comes in the form of snow.

Large storm systems over the Pacific Ocean throw off snow storms that sweep into our area from the north, dropping anywhere from inches to feet of snow, and bringing us firmly back into winter.

Because of its trickster nature, March one of the more dangerous times for the creatures in the wilds. Many mammals are bearing young now, some insects are emerging from creeks and pupae as winged adults, and birds are making nests or migrating back into the area from the tropics. The dramatic cold snaps can therefore cause many of these species severe temperature and food stress and sometimes lead to their deaths.

In spite of the warm temperatures and sunny days, most of the native plants of the Highlands — with the exception of the wind-pollinated trees — refrain from growing and flowering. They will wait until the days are reliably warm and frostfree, each species determining this through a

unique combination of day-length, soil temperature, the number of accumulated days of cold, and other cues. Non-native plants, such as fruit trees and ornamentals, have no such mechanisms, and flower as soon as temperatures and precipitation allow. In the lower deserts, such as the western slopes of the Sierra Prieta mountains, the frosts have passed by now, and plants are emerging to greet their early hummingbird, butterfly, moth, fly, and native bee pollinators. The exuberance of spring is riotous in the deserts, and over the next several months it will climb up the riparian corridors and south-facing slopes into the Highlands.

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n our high desert landscape, water scarcity is the factor that determines what happens more than any other single thing. But water scarcity can take different forms — too little falling as precipitation, or too little available to plants and animals at the right time of year. Water is useful to plants when it is liquid, and when air temperatures are high enough for plants to perform photosynthesis. Much of the precipitation that falls in the Mogollon Highlands throughout the year is not able to be utilized by plants (or animals, for that matter) because the water falls in torrents, as in the monsoon season of late summer, and washes through the landscape in erosive floods, or because it falls in the form of snow, when air temperatures are

14 • FEATURE • MARCH 2017 • 5ENSESMAG.COM

Source: Western Regional Climate Center

too low for plants to perform photosynthesis.

Snow, however, proves to be the more valuable source of water for our region. This is because it melts slowly from north-facing slopes, saturating soils and filling rivers slowly but continuously.

Long after the lowlands and southwestern slopes are warm enough for plant growth and flowering, patches of snow remain in the shadows of the mountains, providing this precious, scarce resource. And even 2016 was the warmest year in the historical record globally, temperatures in the Mogollon Highlands have been only slightly above average for the last three months, leaving some patches of snow in the high mountains. This snowbanks, aided by March snowfall, will help to bring the growth and reawakening of our resplendent spring. ***** Ty Fitzmorris is an itinerant and often distractible naturalist who lives in Prescott and is proprietor of the Peregrine Book Company, Raven Café, and Gray Dog Guitars, all as a sideline to his natural history pursuits. He can be reached at Ty@PeregrineBookCompany.Com.

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

By Ty Fitzmorris

Black-throated Gray Warblers.

• Black Hawks (Buteogallus anthracinus), the rarest species of hawk in the US, return to the Mogollon Highlands to begin mating, nesting, and egg-laying in the high cottonwood and sycamore trees of our riverine corridors, the leaf-buds of which burst now, revealing brilliant green leaves that provide cover for the Black Hawk nests.

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

High mountains • Mountain Chickadees move upslope as the temperatures rise scrutinizing trees for insect larvae.

As other bird species migrate through the region, they find the chickadee flocks and forage with them before moving on.

Visit: Maverick Mountain Trail, No. 65.

Ponderosa Pine forests • Bobcats give birth to two to eight kittens who’ll remain in dens until June.

• Wild Candytuft (Thlaspi montanum), a small mountain perennial, blooms with brilliant white four-petaled flowers.

Visit: Miller Creek Trail, No. 367.

Pine-Oak woodlands • The leaves of our several species of oak begin to change color and drop as the soft, new leaves replace them. This “spring fall” usually begins somewhat later, but warm temperatures in our region have moved it earlier.

• Our several species of manzanitas continue flowering providing the first major pollen and nectar crop for native bees, moths, and flies. Look especially for the stunning iridescent Manzanita Mason Bee (Osmia ribifloris), which flies for the next several months.

Visit: Little Granite Mountain Trail, No. 37.

Pinyon-Juniper woodlands • Raccoons mating season is at its peak.

• Gray Fox give birth to (usually) four pups in their dens. This furtive fox is the most common fox in the higher Mogollon Highlands, though it’s rarely seen. Gray Foxes can climb trees better than any other North American canid and have been seen as high as 60 feet up in trees.

• Junipers and cypresses continue to release pollen in large, allergy-inspiring clouds.

Visit: Tin Trough Trail, No. 308.

Grasslands • Bats reappear in the twilight skies, including Mexican Free-tailed Bats (Tadarida brasiliensis), which return now from Jalisco, Sonora, and Sinaloa. All bat species are vital to the control of insect populations, and some, including Mexican Free-tails, eat as much as 80 percent of their own body weight per night.

• Female Badgers dig birthing dens and line them with grasses. Here they will give birth to two to three cubs toward the end of the month. Badgers, which can live for up to 14 years, are rare in our region, but are important predators of rodents.

Canyon Treefrogs (Hyla arenicolor) emerge now from their winter hibernacula, adapting their skin color to match their backgrounds. Photo by Ty Fitzmorris.

• Broad-winged hawks, such as Swainson’s, Rough-legged, and Ferruginous Hawks, continue their migration through the open grasslands in our region, and can often be seen sitting on power-line posts, looking for rodents.

Visit: Mint Wash Trail, No. 345.

Riparian areas • Northern Rough-winged Swallows and Violetgreen Swallows return from their overwintering grounds in southern Mexico, the Yucatan Peninsula, and Guatemala. While some individuals continue north as far as Canada, many will stay and begin breeding, nest-construction, and egg-laying.

• River Otters tend their newborn young in their dens while beginning their mating season.

• Contrary to their name, mayfly swarms (order Ephemeroptera) fly from now through the summer above perennial streams. These swarms are short-lived, as the adult mayflies emerge, mate, lay eggs, and die, all within the space of a few hours. They can be identified by their long trailing tails and slow, fairy-like flight in bouncing clouds over the river surface.

• Antlions (family Myrmeleontidae) construct their cone-shaped funnels in riverside sand. The creatures themselves are very difficult to see, as they remain buried at the base of their funnels, but they are the larvae of large, winged damselflylike insects, and they are important predators of many species of ants.

• Migrating warblers sweep into our region toward the end of the month through riparian corridors.

Look for Yellow-rumped Warblers heading the northward charge, followed first by Orangecrowned, and later Wilson’s, MacGillivray’s, and

Deserts/Chaparral • Spring is in full regalia in the desert and lowlands, with extraordinary displays of wildflowers.

Most ubiquitous are the yellow flowers of Yellow and Blue Paloverde trees (Parkinsonia florida and P. microphylla) and Creosote Bush (Larrea tridentata), which line roads and the uplands along river corridors.

• The diversity and overflowing abundance of spring flowers offers pollen and nectar to the amazing diversity of native bees in the Sonoran Desert, which has the highest bee diversity on Earth at over 1,000 species, most of whom are unstudied.

• In some years, the dayflying moth Litocala sexsignata flies in massive mid-day clouds of thousands in chaparral.

• Desert owls, including the minute Elf Owl, begin mating and nesting.

• Desert Tortoises emerge from hibernation.

Desert Tortoises are one of only four species of tortoise in North America, and the most threatened. They can live 50 to 80 years, and consume grasses, cactus, shrubs, and wildflowers.

Visit: Aqua Fria National Monument.

Skyward • March 12: Full Moon at 7:54 a.m.

• March 20: Vernal Equinox at 3:29 a.m.

Today is exactly halfway between the Winter Solstice and the Summer Solstice, so the tilt of the Earth is such that the Sun shines directly on the Equator, causing day and night to be of roughly equal length everywhere on Earth (‘equinox’ means ‘equal night’ in Latin).

The Sun also rises exactly to the east today and sets exactly to the west. The equinoxes are the only days when this happen s—between the Autumnal Equinox and the Vernal Equinox the Sun sets south of west, and the rest of the year it sets to the north of west.

The further north or south you are from the equator, the wider these annual swings.

• March 27: New Moon at 7:58 p.m.

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A faction of the Prescott PC Gamers Group. Photo by Justin Agrell.

Networking opportunities

Prescott PC Gamers Group take gaming to the next level, dimension

By Robert Blood [Editor’s note: The following interview was culled from conversations between the reporter and Justin Agrell, aka quadcricket, founding administrator of the Prescott PC Gamers Group. Find out more about PPCGG’s monthly LAN parties at PPCGG.Com or vis Facebook. The monthly fee is $10.]

When and why did you form the Prescott PC Gamers Group?

We started on Feb. 15, 2014. That’s when I started the group, which used to be hosted at Game On in Prescott, back when it was there. A little after that, we made it official. The idea is for local PC gamers to have a place to meet up and talk. It’s not just a LAN party; it’s a community. We’re active on Facebook and have forums online, too. …

I moved here from Florida in 2007, and I used to help administer a LAN party there. I missed the community and there wasn’t a LAN party scene here except in Phoenix. So, if no one else is going to do it, you’ve got to do it yourself. I figured, let’s see if there’s any interest whatsoever and let’s see what happens. I started spreading the word and got a few people together. It was small, but nice, and it kept going and grew from a party to a com-

munity. Some of the members on site aren’t even in Prescott anymore; they still use it to keep in touch, though.

Can you give us the cliff notes version of what, exactly, goes on at a LAN party?

So, LAN stands for “local area network,” and there are a couple of different kinds of LAN parties. Some of them are annual competitions, like the QuakeCon in Texas, with huge counties.

We’re not a community of professionals like that, though. We don’t really have a fixed list of games, either. If someone suggests a game, we’ll most likely try it out. We’ve got a lot of flexibility and we like to have a good time. This isn’t about money or going pro or being elite. I only mention that because there are a lot of people who might be interested who never come for fear that it’s going to be too competitive and serious. That couldn’t be further form the truth. Our participants run the gamut. At the younger side, one regular just turned 15. We’ve got another one who’s turning 60. We just want to play games. We don’t play much from the e-sports scene, with the exception of “Rocket League.” We’re there to have a good time and we ask people to come with an open mind and try new things. If you’re there just to

16 • FEATURE • MARCH 2017 • 5ENSESMAG.COM

play one game, it’s probably not going to work.

We’ve got to mix it up.

What’s the genre of most of the games at the monthly event?

We play co-op, people vs. people, and sometimes people vs. A.I. One of the more popular games is “Killing Floor” (KillingFloorTheGame.Com) which is an example of people vs. A.I. An example of people vs. people, is “Rocket League,” which is like soccer with cars, and that’s all of us against each other trying to get the ball into the net. … We list the games on our website. This month we’re playing “Counter-Strike: Global Offensive,” the original “Killing Floor,” “Rocket League,” “Tribes 2,” and “ARK: Survival Evolved.” We also have our own Minecraft server. That’s been going for a while now, and a decent amount of members on there don’t even live here any more. There’s one guy who’s a pilot who travels all over and he and his girlfriend meet on the server and play, and that’s how they hang out. … For how popular realtime strategy games are, they haven’t really stuck with our groups. We haven’t gotten into, say Starcraft 2, or the original Starcraft or Warcraft series. I’m not sure why. I enjoy them, but they haven’t really stuck.

What are some of the nuts and bolts for the event?

It’s 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. the first Saturday of the month. We’re usually in the conference room over at Step One Coffee House in Prescott Valley. We’re super grateful to Stepping Stones for hosting us and letting us use the really big room. Before that we were sort of nomadic after Game On got super popular and had to move. Stepping Stones reached out to us about a year ago. We shifted the time more recently. It used to be noon to midnight, but we have gamers come from Phoenix for the LAN party and we have another one who’s just past Paulden. The cover-charge for the event is $10. This goes towards rent, food, and games for the members. One of the other main attractions has been Virtual Reality.

Tell us more about that.

At least three of us have the HTC VIVE headsets, which we use and share. Our LAN party is one of the few places you can try out VR like this.

There aren’t so many games for it now, but in April, we’ll be debuting “Star Trek: Bridge Crew.”

We’re going to try and make it a Star Trek specific event and there should be no fewer than four VIVEs there. That’ll be the first time we have all four VIVEs there — usually one person doesn’t bring it any given month. … You know, VR is the new era, and you can tell it’s going through some growing pains. It’s very, very new and there are very few games for it, which is why “Star Trek: Bridge Crew” is an especially big deal. There’s an enthusiastic VR market, but it’s not really for the general public yet. The barrier is really high.

The gear, alone, is around $800, let alone the rig.

The visor is the main reason we all went with the HTC VIVE versus the Oculus. It’s got room-scale movement, about a 15-foot diagonal square you can move around, and the environment changes as you move. With a lot of the current games, you can interact with stuff in the room using the controllers and triggers. It’s a very surreal experience.

It’s the future, absolutely, and really the way to go at this point. To have multiplayer and actually see other gamers and interact in the world you want, that’s a dream come true. Once you have the experience, you aren’t ever going back. We’re all just waiting for the solution to moving beyond room scale. They’re still trying to figure that out. And we’re still waiting for more AAA titles to come

Justin Agrell, aka quadcricket, and his dog Monroe. Courtesy photo. out. A lot of developers are waiting for the market to become more mature.

As the facilitator, how much of your time is spent on tech-y stuff versus actually relaxing and playing?

You know, it’s gotten better over the years. Early on, it would take two to four hours just to troubleshoot things. Now it’s common for people who’ve never come before to come to the LAN party, plug in, and just start playing. Now, we’ve got super high speed internet and we don’t need to trade discs anymore; everything sort of works now. So I can mostly play and relax, which is wonderful — I don’t have to constantly play the role of administrator. Our group right now settles between five and 10 people every month. I’ve helped with LAN parties that were 60-plus people. So, now, we’ve got about an hour set up time and an hour to break down. When a game doesn’t work, we move on to the next one. We have a core of games we rotate pretty regularly. We’re not married to any given one.

So, if someone’s curious about attending, what kind of person can reasonably drop in and have a good time?

From experience, I’ve found it helps if you’re an actual PC gamer. We’ve had people who were really interested in the idea of coming to a LAN party and playing a game or games. We can sort of make that work, but it really helps if you have your own gaming rig and have a developed Steam library. We have an RSVP system, so you can sign on to the forums or Facebook and let us know if you’re going to come. … I should also mention we have a potluck system for food. We post that on the website, too. The games are posted online every month, so you know what games we’ll play and can own them ahead of time. The $10 a head cover charge helps maintain the equipment that makes this possible and helps pay rent. In some cases we buy games for people. For regulars, it’s not uncommon to be gifted a game if you’re one shy. We try to help gamers have a good time, and it helps to be prepared. … A gamer-specific rig is a niche thing. We’re talking about Alienware, Falcon Northwest, and Voodoo. You have to have discreet graphics to run the cutting-edge games.

There are people who’ve joined in with normal hardware and played really scaled down versions of the games, but they’ve all eventually caved in and upgraded to a gaming rig. It’s just what happens. What’s nice is that, since we’re a community, we can all help you build something and price it out to get you going. We have enough geeks to answer any question. Like I’ve said, I want to stress that we’re a community. ***** Find out more about the Prescott PC Gamers Group and their monthly LAN parties at PPCGG. Com or via Facebook. The monthly fee is $10.

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.

Game box art. Fair use.

17

Diagnosis: Technology

Just Drive

How to remain (relatively) anonymous

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By Paolo Chlebecek hat if I told you that you could take your computer with you anywhere and use it in safety and convenience anywhere in the world? Too good to be true?

Last year, in this column, I mentioned a Live Boot Environment or Live CD or USB. With all of the concerns with privacy, security, and tracking, a Live Boot Environment may be a viable solution. But as we get in to a few of the details, you’ll have to decide if it’s for you. So just what is it and how can you use it?

Essentially, a Live CD or USB is a way to use a computer another way than how the operating system that came with that computer does. When you power on a computer, it’s programed to look for an operating system, then whatever is loaded inside is what starts. There is a simple way to interrupt that process and start your own operating system. When you do, and if the computer had that option unlocked, then you can load whatever you like. Meaning, it’s impossible to prevent what could be called unauthorized use of a computer.

So be warned, use this method at your own risk.

While this is an ideal way to compute and surf privately at a library computer for example, it may not be allowed. That being said, it absolutely doesn’t harm the computer. In fact, it is safer for everyone because it doesn’t use any data on the computer or leave anything behind when you are done. So, for practical purposes, a Live USB is the logical choice as it has the ability to save data easily and is more portable than a CD or DVD.

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ypically the operating system that is more universal is Linux. (Pronounced line-uks or lin-uks) There are many varieties or distributions or “distros” of this operating system. Most have the capability to operate on most any hardware.

Even very old systems can run better then whatever version of Windows that it originally came with. Why? Usually, because it loads only what is needed to operate the computer. The newer distros are very robust and can look and feel like the familiar Windows OS that we are used to. There is an option with some Windows 8 Enterprise users called “Windows To Go,” but most people don’t have access to that option. Besides, with just 4th Friday a little time and a low cost USB you can be up and running quickly, rather than pay for an expensive Windows license.

The process is relaEVERY tively straightforward.

TH A 32 Gigabyte or larger USB 3.0 drive is always recommended for ease of use and startup speed. Downloading a version you like may

4 Prescott’s

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take some time; there are enough distros to make the choice difficult. The program called “Universal USB Installer” is one option that can make it very easy for a beginner, or an expert, to start the process. There is a catch though; some hardware may not be compatible with the operating system.

Sometimes I can’t start a Macintosh computer with a live USB, even though UNIX, the father of Linux, is behind OS 10, the Operating system most Mac computers use.

Once you make a decision, the program will format and install the necessary files on the USB drive. Then, when the target computer is off, plug your newly created USB drive in a free USB port on the computer. Press the power, and if the computer is set up right, the USB drive will begin to load the data and now you have a “new” computer.

On some systems, you have to press one of the Function keys like “F2” and select your USB to have the computer recognize it so it can boot from it.

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o why do this?

You’ll be getting peace of mind that you aren’t leaving your personal data on a computer. Or, for example, a technician like me can start up a computer and diagnose and repair it. I had a successful incident when a customer’s server was badly infected. I started with the Live USB and found and destroyed the virus on all of the drives. They were up and running that same day.

You, too, can take your computer with you wherever you go if you are willing to do a little research and spend a little time on it. ***** Paolo Chlebecek is founder and owner of PaoloTek, which he started in 2003. He loves to be helpful to people and our animal friends. Feel free to contact him at Paolo@PaoloTek.Com.

$5 off any service ≥$30!

See Special Events

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18 • COLUMN • MARCH 2017 • 5ENSESMAG.COM

515 E. Sheldon St., Prescott, www.erasalonandspa.com

and light parts Are, where there is contrast, etc.

It would be considered more right brain kind of stuff — less intellectual and more intuitive. I think that’s what’s amazing about art, and that’s what’s humbling about it, too. You don’t take anything for granted. Once you go through that process, you actually start to see the world differently. It’s very humbling. It’s not just as easy as drawing a heart-shaped apple.

... FROM PAGE 13 How did your time at Hallmark end and how did that affect your art?

It was 1997 and they were shifting over to more computer-based stuff. I was doing some freelance illustration on the side and left Hallmark to do that for several years. There was a group of us who’d worked for Hallmark, some current and some former, who formed a loose little painting group. We got together and painted and critiqued each other’s work. We had a couple of gallery shows together, too. That was really freeing. When I was at Hallmark, I was all over the place. I never really had my own style. I just immersed yourself in whatever style I was working with. I’ve done everything from cartooning to realistic paintings to three-dimensional art. Gradually, I started to paint more and started to teach myself. I just picked it up along the way, really. That led to my connection with these artists and starting to have some work in galleries. One of the difficulties I had freelancing was that, as far as style goes, most freelancers have a very particular thing they’re known for. I never could really nail that down for myself. So, as I was freelancing less, I gradually shifted into painting. In Tucson, I started working at a bike shop and really got into cycling and fitness, which I still do today. I also did lots of volunteering and worked with AmeriCorps for a year working with kids. Things went OK for a while until they weren’t OK anymore, so I came to Prescott.

I worked for The Art Store for some time and that led to me teaching painting there, which I’ve done since about 2009. … Today, I’m more of an absorber. My strong point is that I have a sensitivity to all of the things that I’ve done and that I pick up on.

Through art and even music, I’m able to adapt.

Why stay in Prescott?

The support of the community. There’s a big recovery community here, and it’s sort of an evolution to stick around with the people you go through that process with. I didn’t really have anything waiting for me in Tucson. My mom and step-dad were there — my step-dad has since passed away — but I didn’t do that much freelancing when I was there. … Since I’ve been here, my commercial illustration has mostly been through word of mouth with some of the artists here. Early on, I joined a drawing group that met in a little room above the Arts Prescott Cooperative, and I still go to that every once in a while. I’ve always loved drawing from the human figure. That’s the most basic thing, but it’s the most challenging. I love it. There’s a certain painterliness quality to it.

Your portraits, in particular, convey so much emotion with such a loose style.

I think you really get the sense of something when it’s less rendered. Those are the parts that I like best in my own work, and that’s the kind of simplicity that I strive for. When you take your brain out of it and respond more intuitively, you get more of the essence of the subject. Once you

Where might’ve people seen your work around town?

I had a show at The Raven Café in late 2016.

I also had some stuff at the English Garden Tea Garden. I used to have some up at The Art Store, too, where I still teach art classes. I don’t have a website up yet, but it’s coming soon. … You know, I haven’t taught them, but I’ve participated in art classes at Yavapai College just to stay involved.

Being around other artists is really important.

You feed off of each other’s creativity and energy.

And I had an opportunity recently — I was laid off from a job at the end of 2015, so for about eight months in 2016, I was able to really get back into painting. That’s where a lot of my recent work came from. Without that time set aside, I’m horrible at self-discipline. That’s probably why I gravitated toward illustration. I get assignments, I run with them, I can be creative within the parameters, I have to finish them on time. When you’re on your own, you can do anything. Sometimes that’s harder.

“Monsieur La Liberte.” Charcoal drawing by Neil Orlowski, 2013.

Courtesy image. start to try and analyze it, manipulate it, and get too “precious” with it, that’s when it starts to die.

You have to stay connected to that moment, to that essence. … Early on, I was doing really tight kind of renderings and gradually developed a more looser, quicker style. One of the most important things about painting and drawing, is that it’s really about learning how to see. When you try to draw or paint something, by necessity you have to look more deeply. It’s like you don’t take anything for granted. Normally you see an object and just mentally label it. There’s no depth to that.

Once you really look at something, it becomes less of a nameable object. It becomes light hitting this form. It becomes a collection of shapes when you try to paint it — an orchestration of shapes and value and color. It becomes less “this is an apple” and more about figuring out the dark

At this point, what role does art serve in your life?

I don’t know. I guess things are picking up, but I’d hate to narrow it down to painting, though the painting is definitely continuing. I’m beginning work on the largest pieces I’ve ever done —2 canvases, each 5’ by 7’ — for a client in Denver.

I’ve also been writing little sketches of musical ideas that I would eventually love to record and/ or play with someone. Apart from the physical production, it’s more, well, creativity and beauty is really just what makes life worth living. Otherwise, it’s just drudgery. You pick up on things, the subtleties and nuances, along with the “big dramas,” whether that’s in music, nature, or art, or seeing it in somebody else’s art — even in the way someone lives their lives. You’re inspired and, yes, the process can get frustrating — sometimes you do it well, and sometimes you do it not so well — but it’s a flow. And, when you’re inspired to do it again, you’re in love with the world around you. ***** Neil Orlowski is a Prescott-based artist. Check this story online at 5ensesMag.Com for an update with Orlowski’s forthcoming website. He also plays keyboard in Funk Frequency, who play regularly around Prescott.

James Dungeon is a figment of his own imagination.

And he likes cats. Contact him at JamesDungeon Cats@Gmail.Com.

5ENSESMAG.COM • MARCH 2017 • FEATURE • 19

Prescott Peeps: John Duncan Who are you and how did you first get involved in the community?

I’m John Duncan, founder of 4AM Productions, which brings drag shows and other entertainment to Prescott. I was raised in Prescott. My family has been here since 1972. My first involvement with the larger community coincided with my first involvement in the gay community in Prescott.

That was National Coming Out Day at Granite Creek Universalist Unitarian Congregational in 2014. … Leading up to that, I’d been focused on the arts here and lamenting a huge void of artistic and creative outlets. What’s here is amazing, but there are holes. So, my friend Joe told me, either do it or don’t do it. So I started 4AM Productions.

There was a lot of preparation and a lot of trepidation about whether it would come to fruition.

In October of that year, we decided to put up the money to pay for the rental, and in December we did the first show. I was really surprised because it was exactly what I was expecting. I was openminded, did radio interviews, advertised in small rags, advertised in the paper, trying to reach as many people as possible, so I had a level of expectation. Getting exactly what you asked for, though, is surprising and exciting. We got a diverse audience that enjoyed an art form that hadn’t been seen here in a long time. That really helped me look at how an audience could and should be. It also helped me make other connections. You get support from the community when you — well, not so much question the boundaries, but push the limits of what people are expecting.

And do people expect that kind of entertainment in a Western-themed town?

Prescott has always been ready for it. We’ve been starved for any kind of entertainment that takes us out of the chaos of daily life. And I think when people come from across the shore, say from England, they’re wanting to see the Western world of Whiskey Row, and it never quite lives up to that expectation. This, at least, is a bit more reminiscent of that idea. There are people who move here from larger areas and want theater and art forms, and we have some of that, for sure — the Prescott Center for the Arts is definitely filling a niche, and the Yavapai College Performing Arts Center is trying to bring in things that are current and relevant — but nobody is really pushing the boundaries enough to grow their audience. That’s what I’m trying to do with 4AM Productions.

you can move out of your community to a greater community that supports you or you can stay in your community and make changes. The line is something like “Either you move to California or you stay in San Antonio and do the hard work.” I think you can paraphrase that and put Prescott in the place of San Antonio.

How else have you been involved with the community at large?

I’ve been involved with GYCC, which stands for Greater Yavapai LGBTQ Coalition, for almost a year now. Its primary focus is bringing together all the communities within Yavapai County together and bridges the gaps in services and support, and have a common goal. Working on consistent and reliable yearly events is also what we are focusing on. One of these events is the annual LGBTQ family and friendship picnic. Last year we had over 150 people show up. This year the event will take place at Watson Lake on May 28th. The picnic gives a great time to celebrate the diversity of the Prescott area.

John Duncan deejays Prescott’s National Coming Out Day in 2016. Courtesy photo.

What’s the story behind the name?

I suffer from insomnia, so a lot of my ideas come from staying up late. … I see creating a name for it and pushing the limits of what people feel is acceptable to have in Prescott. I think within the next year, we’ll branch out to plays and add a cabaret show. I want it to be an entertainment company that gives people a break from the chaos of daily life.

Why represent things that are considered fi xtures in the gay community in Prescott at large?

Matthew Shepherd’s death in 1997 really affected me. It caused me to be open about myself and to lead the kind of life he could’ve lived if he hadn’t been brutally killed. He inspired a lot of other people to do that, to not live life apologetically or shy away from any type of expression of themselves. … Harvey Milk, who’s another huge inspiration, is famous for saying

20 • FEATURE • MARCH 2017 • 5ENSESMAG.COM

What value do you see in those organizations? Why get involved?

You do things like this so that there isn’t another shooting like in Orlando or another Matthew Shepherd killing. The idea is to be proactive.

The last thing we want to be is reactionary after something’s happened. You build a foundation so, if anything happens, there’s some support already in place. Discrimination in all its forms — homophobia, antisemitism, racism — has no place in Prescott. … Honestly, I’m a little surprised I was asked to do this interview. I’ve always seen myself as someone behind the scenes who facilitates things. I’m surrounded by so many people who inspire me and are doing good things in the community. We’re all lucky to be here in Prescott. ***** 4AM Productions’ next event is “It’s Drag Time,” featuring Aimee V. Justice (host), Aubrey Ghalichi, Piper M. Shay, and Persephone Hardbroom Kyng, with shows at 7 and 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday, March 31 and April 1 at Stage Too, alley between Cortez and Marina streets behind Peregrine Book Co. Tickets are $15 in advance, online at DragTime.BPT. Me, or $20 at the door.

Get Involved Prescott Meals on Wheels Who are you and what do you do?

I’m Bert Ijams, the executive director of Prescott Meals on Wheels.

The city of Prescott is our service area along with some unincorporated areas such as Williamson Valley and Diamond Valley, and we’ve been serving Prescott since 1973. We do three fundamental things. First, we provide hot, nutritious meals Monday through Friday, delivered to approximately 200 households each day. Second, along with that, we do a wellness check and go into the home to see if anything seems outside of the norm and ask them if they’re all right. If there’s an obvious emergency, we call 9-1-1 and stay with them until an ambulance and emergency services arrive. And third, during the meal delivery, we provide some moments of companionship. Statistically, we know that loneliness and isolation lead to a deterioration of quality of life.

Combined, those three things allow an individual to stay in their own home, living independently with safety and dignity for as long as possible. I think the ability to stay in their home is critical to these people’s wellbeing.

Our program is driven by volunteers. We have 130 volunteers every month who really make our program possible. … There are two criteria for accessing services, and you can meet one or both. Number one: Can you access food and groceries? Can you drive to the store or is someone available to drive you? Number two: Can you prepare food? Is there any reason you can’t stand at the stove or have limited mobility? Is there

any reason that makes it unsafe for you to prepare food? Or is there any other physical reason or is there anything that makes it otherwise unsafe for you to prepare food? It’s important to note that poverty is not a criteria for accessing services.

How can we get involved?

The biggest way to help support is through donations. When we get referrals from, say, the Area Agency on Aging, they’re only able to pay for 40 percent of the meals we provide to the people they refer. That other 60 percent is paid for strictly by donation. It’s just incredible what donations do for us. Donations in any amount help and, remember, there’s the Arizona state tax credit that for every dollar you give you get back up to the threshold.

The other way to help is through volunteering.

We often have opportunities for volunteers in the kitchen, delivery drivers, the thrift store, and the dining room. Our volunteers and donors are our greatest asset because giving of someone’s time and resources is a tremendous gift. One area we do need help is backup drivers. There is a fingerprint and background check needed for that. We welcome anyone who wants to volunteer to contact us. ***** Find out more about Prescott Meals on Wheels at PrescottMealsOnWheels.Com or at 1280 E. Rosser, Monday through Friday, 928-4457630, ext. 602, PMOW@CableOne. Net.

Prescott People Who Care Who are you and what do you do?

I’m Fritzi Mevis, executive director of Prescott People Who Care. We’re a volunteer organization that’s starting our 25th year in the Quad Cities.

We help people who are physically unable to drive or maybe shouldn’t be driving. We help with one-on-one assistance to get to the doctor or any kind of healthcare. We take them grocery shopping or help them shop for groceries, or even grocery shop for them. We als0 help with paperwork.

Right now, we’ve got about 300 neighbors — that’s what we call clients — across the three program offices in Prescott, Chino Valley, and Prescott Valley/Dewey-Humboldt ranging from age 18 to 106. Half or more of the people we serve are visually impaired. That’s the No. 1 reason they ask for help. All of our volunteers do things oneon-one with our neighbors. This becomes just as much about that relationship, that connection, as anything else. Many of the people we serve don’t have family support or friends to help with these kind of things.

How can we get involved?

The best way to get involved is to call the main office and let us know you’re interested. All we have to do is determine where you live — whether that’s Prescott, Chino Valley, or P.V. — and connect you with an informational meeting in that area. We also direct people to our website so they can get an idea about us, too, but those informational meetings

are the primary way to get involved.

Our volunteers are our hearts and our hands. They’re wonderful, and we couldn’t do this without them.

People don’t have to commit to certain hours. We’re very flexible with time. There’s no obligation if you come to an informational meeting to find out more. It’s a chance to learn about the program and take an application home. If you want to volunteer, there’s an orientation and we do some reference and background checks, obviously.

We always need more volunteers.

There are an unlimited number of people in the community who need our assistance and a limited number of people who can give that assistance. You have to limit what we do, but we try to do as much as we can. We’re always open to donations, too, and I’d remind people that the 2016 tax credit is available through April 15. As far as accessing services go, I’d point out that Prescott People Who Care is for people that aren’t able to physically drive. It’s not because someone can’t afford a car — that’s not what we do. Safe driving, that’s the important thing. We don’t qualify people by income. It’s open to everyone. ***** Find out more about Prescott People Who Care at PeopleWhoCareAZ. Com or at 505 W. Gurley St., 928445-2480.

***** In these features, 5enses highlights individuals and organizations in the community that are making a difference. They were inspired by Alert Reader Aarti Pani and community leaders Sadira DeMarino and John Duncan. Thank you, Aarti, Sadira, and John.

Want to nominate a do-gooder or a doing-gooder group? Email tips to 5ensesMag@Gmail.Com with “Get Involved” in the subject line. Don’t like who we feature? Do some good deeds or start your own group and tell us about it. Remember, our community is whatever we make it.

5ENSESMAG.COM • MARCH 2017 • FEATURE • 21

Not-asholy days

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his bright red creature called a Ctenophore, or Red Tortuga, lives at ocean depths of over 3,000 feet. It’s a type of comb jelly and has a black pigmented gut which it uses like a blackout curtain to hide the flashing bio-luminescent lights of the prey it consumes.

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olidays are always a reasonable excuse to indulge — especially holidays that celebrate drinking — but there’s no reason to limit libations this month. Consider celebrating …

ODDLY ENOUGH … When this animal is disturbed, it showers out a confusing and dazzling array of sparkling lights that appear to swarm. It gives the immediate appearance of many animals, and lets this slow moving food bag drift away.

March 2: Old Stuff Day. (Antique is chic.)

March 4: Holy Experiment Day. (Hell, yes!)

March 9: Panic Day. (It’s status quo for some of us.)

March 11: J. Appleseed Day. (Do you know the real story?)

March 15: Buzzards’ Day. (Get wrapped up in raptors.)

March 17: National Submarine Day. (They’re the blimps of the sea.)

March 20: National Alien Abductions Day. (Go ahead and beam up incubi and succubi victims, too.)

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*****

he Neoceratias Spinifer is a type of Angler-fish, but it has no luminous lure to dangle near its mouth to entice prey. Like most Angler-fish, the male is much smaller than the female and will attach himself to the female, eventually becoming fused to her body. At this point, the parasitic male acts as a living, on going sperm supply to fertilize the eggs inside the female’s body. It’s believed that the males, utilizing an extremely good sense of smell, find the females in total darkness and the crushing depths were they live.

ODDLY ENOUGH … Many of the teeth of the female fish are located on the outside of her mouth and can be moved independently. Some of these teeth have tiny hooks on the end of them. This fish is like a swimming trap with a built-in jail. ***** Russell Miller is an illustrator, cartoonist, writer, bagpiper, motorcycle enthusiast, and reference librarian. Currently, he illustrates books for Cody Lundin and Bart King.

March 22: International Goof Off Day. (It’s status quo for some of us.)

March 26: Make Up Your Own Holiday Day. (A hat on a hat is still a hat.)

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22 • FEATURE • MARCH 2017 • 5ENSESMAG.COM

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SWC Tempe

New Patient Special

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2009 E. 5th St. Ste. 11 Tempe, AZ. 85281 480-245-6751

SWCARIZONA.COM

Mon-Sat 10:30-6:00 Sun 12:00-6:00

Open Every Day of the Year!

Winter Hours, until April 30th: 10 am - 4 pm

1403 Heritage Park Rd.; Prescott, AZ 86301 • www.HeritageParkZoo.org Phone: 928.778.4242 501(c)(3) non-profit organization supported by the community.