2017-05 5enses

P.12

MAY 2017 | VOLUME 5, ISSUE 5 | 5ENSESMAG.COM

5enses

May MMXVII • Volume V, Issue V ~ amor et melle et felle est fecundissimus ~ Copyright © 2017 5enses Inc. Contact us at 5ensesMag@Gmail.Com & 928-613-2076 Visit 5ensesMag.Com & ISSUU for more

In which: Mara Trushell

4 16 17 5 6 7 + 10 8/9 11 20 12 21 14 22 tracks down a record store and digs new and vintage vinyl with Daryl Halleck

James Dungeon

keeps an ear out for a singsong bird and identifies a particularly nosy pair

Kathleen Yetman

COVER IMAGE: “Flapper Girl.” Painting by Sean Goté, courtesy image. See page 12 for more.

Robert Blood

returns here with a shrubbery and enjoys summer sounds like “Neee-Wom”

Sharon Arnold

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

dines out and talks Senses with John Panza and Cassandra Hankison

Sean Gote´ Gallery 702 West Gurley Prescott, AZ 86305 928 445 2323

fields a brawl over a popular veggie and ends up with pie on her face

Peregrine Book Co. staff

reads into passed over passages and finds meaning between the lines

Alan Dean Foster

Here & (T)here

espies duelling images and discovers more than just smoke and mirrors

Reva Sherrard

Discover events in and around Prescott and the surrounding area

Prescott Peeps

keeps her head and weighs the wordy confabulations of a true trickster

James Dungeon

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

Get Involved

considers the lighter side of serious art and has a heart-to-Hart with Sean Goté

Ty Fitzmorris

Whimsical art for creative minds

Discover ways to make a positive difference in our community

OPEN 11 to 6

Oddly Enough

springs into nature and unearths a dearth of outdoor happenstances

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

22

ea es rs i n busin

y

OPEN DAILY 10AM-5PM •

brating Cele

s

@ Snap Snap

5ENSESMAG.COM • MAY 2017 • CONTENTS • 3

S

By Mara Trushell pring migrant calls and local breeding birds’ song fill the air this time of year. Birds are only one of many organisms who are responding to spring in a way that can overwhelm our senses, and many are just as enjoyable as their songs. When hiking along scrubby slopes or ridges, woodland stream banks, or canyons, keep out a close eye for Amelanchier utahensis (Utah Serviceberry, Juneberry, Shadbush, or Utah Shadberry). This is when it’s at its formal best.

This relatively large but sparsely branching bush is often found hiding under the dappled shade of oaks or ashes or concealed among vibrant yellow New Mexico olive flowers, a beautiful and fragrant hop tree, or delicate clusters of the black cherry flowers. Amelanchier utahensis produces clusters of three to six flowers which transform this bush into a dappled array of fresh vibrant green leaves among white flowers during April and May. The five narrow, widely spread petals don’t overlap and the anthers appear within a crown-like formation. The fragrance it emits has been described as unpleasant, so you can stick to enjoying these flowers visually.

Plant of the Month

A

melanchier utahensis is a common shrub found between 2,0007,000 feet across the country. The bush is an important resource for wildlife because it provides supple leaves for deer and other browsing ungulates to enjoy throughout the year. In addition, as spring transitions into summer, it develops dark purplish-black, apple-like fruits. These are only partially hidden by the simple, slightly toothed ovate leaves. Songbirds such as the evasive Cedar Waxwings and robins, grosbeaks, and orioles compete with small mammals for this fleshy fruit feast. ***** Mara Trushell is a local natural science enthusiast.

5enses get noticed in

prescott’s PREMIER art & science rag Call 928-613-2076 or email 5ensesMag@Gmail.Com for ad rates

$5 off any service ≥$30!

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

4 • FEATURE • MAY 2017 • 5ENSESMAG.COM

Juneberry Photo by Mara Trushell.

Bird of the Month

Black-headed Grosbeak

Y

By Sharon Arnold A male (left) and female Black-headed Grosbeak. Photos by Russ Chappell.

ou think you’re hearing a robin that has had voice training.

Following the sound, you discover a stocky, large-billed, blackheaded bird with a buff y orange breast and collar and bold white markings on its wings. This male Black-headed Grosbeak sings a richer, throatier song than the American Robin. Females also sing although less frequently and at a lower volume. The call of a Black-headed Grosbeak is a low telltale “eek.”

Like males, females have yellow “armpits” in flight. They have buff y eyebrows and light streaking on buff y breasts. Immature birds look like females. Males may take more than a year to reach adult plumage, and consequently, these males are not as attractive to females and are less successful breeders.

B

lack-headed Grosbeaks are neotropical migrants. Early arrivals start returning to their preferred breeding habitat by April. Late arrivals have been spotted in mid-June. Look for these birds in pinyon-oak woodlands and conifer-dominated forests. Deciduous tree-dominated canyons and mountain drainages are also regular nesting habit. Black-headed Grosbeaks frequent feeders during breeding season and are fond of black oil sunflower seeds and fruit.

Early nest building and breeding has been observed in April. However, the peak breeding season for Black-headed Grosbeaks is mid-June through mid-July.

Nests are flimsy, cup-shaped structures made of twigs, rootlets, flower heads, and forb stems constructed primarily by the female in tree forks and shrubs. A clutch typically consists of three blue-white or green-white, brown-spotted eggs incubated 12 to 14 days by both sexes. Both parents feed the fledglings that perch silently in dense vegetation. When the young become adept fliers, they beg loudly and relentlessly while following their parents.

B

lack-headed Grosbeaks forage in tree foliage for pine and other seeds, wild berries, insects and spiders.

The melodious songs of Black-headed Grosbeaks are a sign of spring throughout Arizona’s forests.

***** Visit Prescott Audubon Society at PrescottAudubon.Org. Contact them at Contact@PrescottAudubon.Org. Sharon Arnold spies on birds locally and wherever travels take her. She is a strong supporter of efforts to preserve habitat for birds and other wildlife.

We had an amazing time on April 22 & 23 “Chalking it Up” while supporting community mental health.

Thank You To Our Amazing Sponsors!

Chalk It Up! Prescott is always FREE because of the kindness from Community sponsors.

Arizona Commission on the Arts, Arizona’s Hometown Radio Group, Arizona Shuttle Prescott, Arma Vista Properties LLC, AZ Tile, Attention 2 Detail, BEND Hot Yoga Prescott, Bill’s Grill, Bucky’s and Yavapai Casino, Chipotle Mexican Grill, Clayote Studios, Connie Boston, Costco, Credit Union West, Custom Sticker Makers, CVS Ph Pharmacy (Prescott Valley), Dorn Homes, Drake Cement, El Charro Mexican Restaurant, El Gato Azul, EMI Printworks, Enchanted Catering, Gabby’s Grill, Glenda Dority, Grand Canyon Railway & Hotel, Granite Portables and Septic, Hensley Beverage Company, HomeAdvisor, Jay’s Bird Barn, Kiwanis Club, Lamb Chevrolet, Lamerson’s Jewelry, Las Fuentes Resort Village, Lonesome Valley Playhouse, Lowe’s, Manzanita Outfitters, Mario and Diana Dalsass, Massage Envy, National Bank of Arizona, Natural Grocers, Northern AZ Suns, Nyla’D Salon, OneAZ Credit Union, Patricia Tonge, Pine View Family Dental, Prescott Arts & Humanities Council, Prescott Outpatient Surgical Center, Prescott Parent Magazine, Prescott Tire Pros, Raskins Jewelers, Raven Café, Raymond and Susan Bell, Ray and Marge Landry, Redfin, Sean Gote Gallery, Senatory Highway Drive-In Sign, Sherry Brown, SpringHill Suites, Sprouts, Starbucks (Montezuma), Sun Pine Homes, Superior Industries, Swirl ‘N Top, The Art Store, The Hike Shack, The Motor Lodge, The Personal Touch Jeweler, ‘Tis Art Center & Gallery, Trader Joe’s, True Value Hardware/Just Ask Rentals, UniSource Energy, Van Gogh’s Ear, Vakula Law Firm, Wells Fargo Advisors, Yavapai Prescott Indian Tribe, & Yavapai Regional Medical Center.

5ENSESMAG.COM • MAY 2017 • FEATURE • 5

R

By Kathleen Yetman hubarb, Rheum rhabarbarum, is a perennial plant grown for its sweet fleshy stems. The Chinese have used rhubarb medicinally for thousands of years, but it’s only been in the past three to four centuries that it’s been used as a food.

The season for rhubarb is generally April through October when stalks are long and abundant. Rhubarb prefers cool to warm weather so here in Yavapai County it begins growing in March and thrives until the heat of summer becomes constant. The plant may begin to produce again once the temperature stays below 90 degrees. Unlike the edible stems, the leaves of rhubarb are toxic and should not be eaten. The roots of the plant can be used to make a dark brown dye, similar to black walnut husks. Once planted, it will produce for eight to a dozen years.

Rhubarb reproduces by rhizome, i.e. digging out a small section of a friend or neighbor’s roots and transplanting it will create a whole new plant. It’s important not to harvest any stems the first year after planting to allow the plant to establish a strong root system.

R

hubarb contains many valuable vitamins and minerals including potassium, magnesium, calcium, iron, and vitamins A and C. It is an excellent source of fiber and is known for aiding digestion. While rhubarb is technically a vegetable, most recipes use its stems like a fruit.

Perhaps the most popular dish is strawberry-rhubarb pie. Not only do the flavors complement each other, but also both strawberries and rhubarb are early summer crops, which makes them a convenient combination. It is a delicious substitute for most fruity baked goods including tarts, muffins, cobblers and crisps. Rhubarb can also be used in savory dishes as well.

Vegetable of the Month

Photo by Kathleen Yetman.

***** The Prescott Summer Market is 7:30 a.m.-noon Saturdays, May through October in Yavapai College Parking Lot D, 1100 E. Sheldon St. Find out more at PrescottFarmersMarket.

Org.

Rhubarb

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

4 Prescott’s 4th Friday

ART WALKS PRE S

COT T

’S

4FRIDAY EVERY

TH

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

6 • FEATURE • MAY 2017 • 5ENSESMAG.COM

Beginning at 5 PM

See Special Events

www.ArtThe4th.com

TRAX

Peregrine Book Co.

Staff picks

Records

Catered by Reva Sherrard “Mistborn”

By Brandon Sanderson A semi-heroic band of thieves plot to overthrow a god-king who has ruled uncontested for a thousand years. But can they really do any better? Not your standard average-Joe-vs-god fantasy story, this trilogy will leave many images and questions burning in your mind. ~Sean “Tribe”

By Sebastian Junger What is it about modern affluent life that so starves us psychologically? How is it that wartime can provide the strongest social bonds and sense of meaning?

Why do some survivors of extreme trauma develop PTSD, and others not? For succinct, powerful answers- read Tribe. I want to give it to all my friends. ~Reva “Bird Brains”

By Candace Savage A photographic homage to corvids, that brilliant and gregarious family of birds whose members include jays, magpies, crows, and our own ravens. Full of fascinating natural history tidbits and anecdotes. Bird lovers will spend many a happy moment leafing through. ~Reva “The Particular Sadness of Lemon Cake”

By Aimee Bender An honest and palpable representation of familial relationships verging on the supernatural. ~Bekah

“The Stranger in the Woods”

By Michael Finkel Christopher Knight lived in the Maine woods in a tent for 27 years. You read that correctly. Now get the book to find out how he did it! ~Jon “Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell”

By Susanna Clarke An exceptionally funny and lighthearted story reminiscent of classics like “Great Expectations” and “David Copperfield.” If you love magic and fiercely British humor, you’ll love this book! ~Bekah

234 S. Montezuma St. 928-830-9042

Turntables & quick special orders Buy/Sell/Trade new & used vinyl & CDs

Journeys in Spirit 2017 Traditional and Contemporary Art by American Indian Artists May 18—June 20 4th Friday Art Walk Reception May 26th 5:00—8:00 Demonstrations, dance and raffle May 27—29 “Dreams” Night Zamora Hush Photography www.facebook.com/Night.Hush.Photography

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

www.TisArtGallery.com

“Pond”

By Claire-Louise Bennett “Pond” is sharp and compassionate, beautiful and strange — and everything felt turned upside down and inside out after I read it. ~Lacey “A Gentleman in Moscow”

By Amor Towles A historical novel that precisely captures the mood of early-20th-century Russia. A must-read for fans of “The Remains of the Day”: evocative, graceful, and moving. ~Veri “An Abbreviated Life”

By Ariel Leve A haunting story of bravery and survival; Leve recounts moments of her childhood darkened by psychological abuse and an out-of-control mother with honesty and emotional power. ~Lacey

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

5ENSESMAG.COM • MAY 2017 • FEATURE • 7

Here & (T)here

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

2

“Driving Miss Norma” • 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 2: coauthors Tim Bauerschmidt and Ramie Liddle share the 13,000-mile adventure of Norma Jean Bauerschmidt's memoir that where “one family's journey to saying 'yes' to living.” (Peregrine Book Co., 219A N. Cortez St., 928-445-9000, PeregrineBookCompany.Com)

4

Alligator Juniper 2017 launch party • 5 p.m. Thursday, May 4: Readings by award winners James and Judith Walsh from the newest iteration of Prescott College's literary magazine, publishing poetry, fiction, and creative non-fiction since 1995. (Peregrine Book Co., 219A N. Cortez St., 928-445-9000, PeregrineBookCompany.Com)

“Meteorites Among Ancient Native American Cultures” • 5-6:30 p.m. Thursday, May 4: Kenneth Zoll, executive director of the Verde Valley Archaeology Center in Camp Verde, discusses the discovery of meteorites at Native American archaeological sites and artifacts from meteoritic iron created by these cultures. An Arizona Humanities Lecture. (Prescott Public Library, 215 E. Goodwin St., 928-777-1500, PrescottLibrary.Info)

9

“A Visual Representation of Geologic Time & the Great Oxidation Event” • 6 p.m. Tuesday, May 9: Paul Lindbeg, mineral exploration geologist and consultant, discusses the Great Oxidation Event. A monthly Central Arizona Geology Club meeting.

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

Com)

13

“Living History Adventure” • Saturday, May 13: Take a peek back at territorial Prescott through the activities like period gardening, cooking, handcrafts, blacksmithing, print shop work, and more. A monthly event. (Sharlot Hall Museum, 415 W. Gurley St., 928-4453122)

18

“My Favorite Comet Stories” • 6-8 p.m. Thursday, May 18: Prof. Steve Coe discuses images and observations of the brightest and most interesting comets he's seen in 35 years in the field, including the Halley, HaleBopp, and Holmes comets, as well as other comets that don't start wit ht he letter H. A Third Thursday Talk via Prescott Astronomy Club. (Prescott Public Library, 215 E. Goodwin St., 928-777-1500, PrescottAstronomyClub.Org)

20 22

“Frontier Arizona Experience” • Saturday, May 20: See a day in a frontier soldier's life from officers to cavalrymen. A monthly event. (Fort Whipple Museum, Arizona 89, north side of Prescott)

“Arizona's Unsolved Mysteries” • 2:30 p.m.-4:30 p.m. Monday, May 22: Bill Weiss discusses how and why, since 1962, historians have ranked and rated post-World War II American presidents. A bill Weiss Historical Lectures event. (Prescott Public Library, 215 E. Goodwin St., 928-777-1500, PrescottLibrary.Info)

Saturday Night Talk Series • 7 p.m. Saturdays: Talks on bringing traditional spiritual ideas and practice into everyday life, via Vigraha and Sukham Seminars. (Vigraha Gallery, The Courtyard Bldg., 115 E. Goodwin St., 928-771-0205, VigrahaSacredArt.Com, $5)

Nature, health, & outdoors Nature, health, & outdoors Jay's Bird Barn bird walks • 8 a.m. May 5, 12, 20, & 25: 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) “Grow Native!”

• May 5-7: Annual Highlands Center plant sale. (Highlands Center for Natural History, 1375 S. Walker Road, 928-7769550, HighlandsCenter.Org)

6

Whiskey Row Marathon • 6 a.m.-noon Saturday, May 6: The 39th annual Whiskey Row Marathon, among the toughest races in the country featuring rugged terrain an altitude in excess of one mile above sea level, and severe weather, and, you know, marathon runners. (Yavapai County Courthouse Square, WhiskeyRowMarathon.Com)

13

5

Prescott Indivisible • 6-7:30 p.m. Friday, May 5: Monthly meeting of a non-partisan group which seeks to promote a progressive and inclusive agenda in support of human rights and the environment.

(Granite Peak Unitarian Congregation Education Center, 882 Sunset Ave., 928-443-8854)

Prescott Audubon bird walk • 8 a.m. Saturday, May 13: Monthly bird walk. (Highlands Center for Natural History, 1375 S. Walker Road, 928-7769550, HighlandsCenter.Org, PrescottAudubon.Org)

“The Yavapai-Apache Nation” • 10 a.m.-noon Saturday, May 13: Vincent Randall talk. A monthly Citizens Water Advocacy Group meeting. (Granite Creek Peak Unitarian Universalist Congregation building, 882 Sunset Ave., 928-445-4218, CWAGAZ.Org) “Where the Wind Dreams of Staying” • 2 p.m. Saturday, May 13: Eric Dieterle discusses his newest book of essays, which the Arizona Daily Sun calls “part reflection on nature, part travelogue, and part memoir.” (Peregrine Book Co., 219A N. Cortez St., 928-445-9000, PeregrineBookCompany.Com)

14

2017 Arizona Botany Meeting • 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday, May 14: The fourteenth annual Arizona Native Plant Society Botany Meeting intended “to foster a spirit of cooperation for the sharing of ideas among, and facilitating collaboration between, all individuals from academic institutions, local, state, and federal government agencies, and non-governmental organizations from across the state of Arizona, and to provide a forum to meet others who share an interest in the flora of Arizona and surrounding areas within the Southwest.” Via the Natural History Institute and The Arizona Native Plant Society. (Prescott College Crossroads Center, 220 Grove Ave., $20-$40)

17

“Groundwater: To Enact Law for the Common Good” • 7 p.m. Wednesday, May 17: Documentary by Michael Chiffer tells the true and inspiring story of the contentious battle among farms, cities, and mines in the late 1970s, which lead to the passage of the 1980 Arizona Groundwater Management Act. Kathleen Ferris leads a panel of water experts along with the filmmaker following the screening. (Elks Theater, 117 E. Gurley St., $10, GroundWaterFilm@Gmail.Com)

19

“Weeds” • 9:30-11 a.m. Friday, May 19: Discuss Richard Mabey's book, “Weeds: In Defense of Nature's Most Unloved Plants.” A monthly Natural History Book Club meeting. (Prescott College Natural History Institute, 312 Grove Ave., 928-350-2280, Prescott.Edu/Natural-History-Institute)

6

Free Comic Book Day • Noon-4 p.m. Saturday, May 6: National free comic book day events featuring DJ playing comic-themed music, costume contests with super cool prizes, visiting comic artists and writers, and, of course, a massive amount of free comics.

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

LAN party • 10 a.m. -10 p.m. Saturday, May 6 : 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)

11

“Death Cafe” • 5:30 p.m. Thursday, May 11: People gather to eat cake, drink tea, and discuss death with the objective “to increase awareness of death with a view to help people make the most of their (finite) lives.” Hosted by Dani LaVoire. (Peregrine Book Co., 219A N. Cortez St., 928-445-9000, PeregrineBookCompany.Com)

20

“Starry Night” • 8:30-10:30 p.m. Saturday, May 20: See the Moon, Jupiter, clusters, galaxies, nebula, and double stars. Via the Prescott Astronomy Club. (Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, 3700 Willow Creek Road, 928-777-6600, PrescottAstronomyClub.Org)

25

“Prescott Monarch Butterflies: The Latest Story” • 7 p.m. Thursday, May 25: Cathy Palm-Gessner and Bob Gessner discusses local monarch population increases and how that compares to the rest of the Southwest, California, and Mexico. A monthly Prescott Audubon Society meeting.

(Trinity Presbyterian Church, 630 Park Ave., PrescottAudubon.Org)

Prescott Summer Farmers Market • 7:30 a.m.-noon Saturdays, May through October: Weekly farmers market featuring local food and much more. (Yavapai College Parking Lot D, 1100 E. Sheldon St., PrescottFarmersMarket.Org)

Groups & games

2

“Local Authors at the Library” • 5-8 p.m. Tuesday, May 2: Meet local authors from the Professional Writers of Prescott. (Prescott Public Library, 215 E. Goodwin St., 928-777-1500, Prescott.Library.Info) 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)

8 • EVENTS • MAY 2017 • 5ENSESMAG.COM

Prescott Highlands Games • 10 a.m.-5 p.m. May 13 & 14: Annual Celtic Highland games and vendors with all types of clothing, food, and goods. (Watson Lake, 3101 Watson Lake Road, 928-443-5185, PrescottAreaCelticSociety.Com, $10-$20)

16 19

GYCC LGBTQ Coalition • 6 p.m. Tuesday, May 16: 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)

PFLAG Support Night • 6:30 p.m. Friday, May 19: Monthly support night for LGBTQ+ community and those who love and support them or desire to do so. (First Congregational Church, 216 E. Gurley St.)

20

Mile High Mystics May Fest • 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, May 20: Expo with a selection of readers, chair massage, body work, energy healing, and aura photography. Part of the proceeds benefit United Animal Friends low-cost spay and neuter program. Dog and cat food donations accepted at the show. (Hassayampa Inn, 122 E. Gurley St., 928-443-5325, MileHighMystics.Com)

24 26

Professional Writers of Prescott • 6 p.m. Wednesday, May 24: 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)

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

Visual arts

NAZGEM Support • 7 p.m Friday, May 26: 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)

10

Open mic poetry • 7-9:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 10: Monthly poetry jam presented by Decipherers Synonymous. (The Beastro, 117 N. McCormick St., 971-340-6970, TheBeastro.Com)

“American Buffalo” • 7:30 p.m. May 11-13, 18-20, & 25-27; 2 p.m. May 14, 21, & 28: David Mamet’s aggression- and testosterone-filled drama. Directed by Paul Epoch. (Prescott Center for the Arts Stage Too, alley between Cortez and Marina streets behind Peregrine Book Co, 928-445-3286, PCA-AZ.Net, $17)

13

“Der Rosenkavalier” • 9:30 a.m. Saturday, May 13: Via satellite, The Metropolitan Opera’s production of “Der Rosenkavalier,” Strauss’s rich romantic masterpiece. (Yavapai College Performing Arts Center, 1100 E. Sheldon St., 928-776-2000, YCPAC.Com, $12-$24) “Tapestry of Song 2017” • 4 p.m. Saturday, May 13: The Yavapai College music department show including the treble sounds of Angelo Voci and Voci Sorella with the Yavapai Youth Choirs under the direction of Arlene Hardy and Amy Van Winkle. (Yavapai College Performing Arts Center, 1100 E. Sheldon St., 928-776-2000, YCPAC.Com, $5-$8)

24 25

Open mic poetry • 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 24: Poet Dan Seaman emcees monthly open mic poetry. (Peregrine Book Co., 219A N. Cortez St., 928-445-9000, PeregrineBookCompany.Com)

“Saint Joan” • 6 p.m. Thursday, May 25: Via satellite, The National Theatre Live production of “Saint Joan,” a daring modern-day take on a classic hero by Bernard Shaw. (Yavapai College Performing Arts Center, 1100 E. Sheldon St., 928-776-2000, YCPAC.Com, $10-$15)

27

“The Dark’s Humming” • 5 p.m. Saturday, May 27: Acclaimed poet Megan Merchant returns to read selections form her latest collection of poems.

(Peregrine Book Co., 219A N. Cortez St., 928-445-9000, PeregrineBookCompany.Com) Contra Dance • 7-7:30 p.m. lesson; 7:30-10 p.m. dance Saturday, May 27: Contra dancing, via Folk Happens. Calls by Archie Maclellan, music by Wild Thyme. (First Congregation Church, 216 E. Gurley St., 928-925-5210, FolkHappens.Org, $4-$8)

28

“Haydn & Mahler Masterworks” • 3 p.m. Sunday, May 28: The Phoenix Symphony closes its third season with Tito Munoz at the helm, featuring Josef Haydn’s “Farewell” symphony as well as Gustav Mahler’s “Das Lied von der Erde.” (Yavapai College Performing Arts Center, 1100 E. Sheldon St., 928-776-2000, YCPAC.Com, $10-$39) Social dance classes • Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, & Sundays: Learn the Argentine tango, West Coast swing, tribal belly dance, Lindy hop swing, flamenco, and Latin dance. (Flying Nest Movement Arts, 322 W. Gurley St., 928-432-3068, Flying-

Peregrine Book Co. • New art. 4th Friday Art Walk participant. (Peregrine Book Co., 219A N. Cortez St., 928-445-9000, PeregrineBookCompany.Com) Prescott Center for the Arts Gallery • May 1-June 10: “Wings,” featuring art depicting things like airplanes, fairies, birds, insects, and mythological creatures that take flight. (Prescott Center for the Arts, 208 N. Marina St., 928-445-3286, 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)

Performing arts “Willy Wonka Junior” • 7 p.m. May 5, 7, 12, & 13; 3:30 p.m. May 6, 7, 13, & 14: Roald Dahl’s timeless story of a world-famous candy man and his quest to find an heir in this stage adaptation of “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.” Mothers get in free on Sunday, May 14 to celebrate Mother’s Day. (Prescott Valley Performing Arts Family Theater, PV Entertainment District, 2982 Park Ave., 928-583-4684 $10)

Mountain Spirit Co-op • New art. 4th Friday Art Walk participant. (Mountain Spirit Co-op, 107 N. Cortez St., 928-445-8545, MountainSpiritCoOp.Com)

The Raven Café • New Art. 4th Friday Art Walk participant. (The Raven Café, 142 N. Cortez St., 928-717-0009)

Arts Prescott Cooperative Gallery • “Sacred Heritage,” featuring intimate portraits of life and land and original oil paintings by Ra Beeler.

• “Sonoran Hinz,” featuring copper reliefs by Glen Hinz, pictured above, opening reception is May 16, 4th Friday Art Walk.

(Arts Prescott Cooperative Gallery, 134 S. Montezuma St., 928-776-7717, ArtsPescott.Com)

Sam Hill Warehouse • April 11-May 5: “Life on the Line,” featuring art by Aurora Berger, with closing reception 7-9 p.m. Friday, May 5.

(Sam Hill Warehouse, 232 N. Granite St., 928-350-2341, PrescottCollegeArtGallery.Org) Sean Goté Gallery • New art and décor, plus guest art in the parking lot on weekends. 4th Friday Art Walk participant. (Sean Goté Gallery, 702 W. Gurley St., 928-445-2323)

The Beastro • New art. 4th Friday Art Walk participant. (The Beastro, 117 N. McCormick St., 928-778-0284, TheBeastro.Org)

Thumb Butte Distillery • New art. 4th Friday Art Walk participant. (Thumb Butte Distillery, 400 N. Washington Ave., 928-443-8498, ThumbButteDistillery.Com)

Bronzesmith Fine Art Foundry & Gallery • 9 a.m.-4 p.m. May 26 & 27: Annual open house with special bronze pours at 10 a.m. and noon featuring local artists Carl Wolf and Deb Gessner. (The Beastro, 117 N. McCormick St., 928-778-0284, TheBeastro.Org)

Van Gogh’s Ear • New art by Raina Gentry, opening reception is May 26, Fourth Friday Art Walk. (Van Gogh’s Ear, 156 S. Montezuma St., 928-776-1080, VGEGallery.Com)

4th Friday Art Walk • 5-7 p.m. Friday, May 26: Monthly art walk including artist receptions, openings, and demonstrations at more than 18 galleries. (ArtThe4th.Com) Hassayampa Inn • New art. 4th Friday Art Walk participant. (Hassayampa Inn, 122 E. Gurley St., 928-778-9434, HassayampaInn.Com) High Desert Artists • Acrylic painting classes with structured lessons and one-onone assistance by highly skilled artists. (Chino Valley Senior Center, 1021 W. Butterfield Road, 928-636-9114, $3) 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) ‘Tis Art Center & Gallery • April 15-May 14: “Universal Threads,” featuring fine art and photography from the travel experience of Carla Woody and Michael McDermott.

• April 27-May 16: “Objects Found 2017,” featuring up-cycled and repurposed creations by Prescott Area artists.

• May 15-June 14: “F-Stops & Fauxbots: Making Magic with Photography & Found Objects” featuring work by Melinda Anderson and Debbie Thomas, opening reception is May 26, 4th Friday Art Walk.

• May 18- June 20: “Journeys in Spirit 2017,” featuring traditional & contemporary art by American Indian artists, via ‘Tis and the Smoki Museum with support from the Prescott Area Arts and Humanities Council, with artist discussion May 18June 20 and demonstrations and dance May 26-29, opening reception is May 26, 4th Friday Art Walk. (‘Tis Art Center & Gallery, 105 S. Cortez St., 928-775-0223, TisArtGallery.Com)

Western Art Show & Sale • May 26-28: 43rd annual show and sale featuring the Miniature Masterpiece show, Western art booths, Quick Draw Artist Challenge, and Denim to Diamonds Gala. (Yavapai County Courthouse Square, PhippenArtMuseum.Org) Yavapai College Art Gallery • April 11-May 6: “Emerging Artist Exhibition,” featuring student artwork in every discipline.

• May 13-June 10: “Seize the Light,” featuring the work of The Alumni Photo Group.

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

Mountain Artists Guild • May 1-June 23: “Route 66” gallery show. (Mountain Artists Guild, 228 N. Alarcon St., 928-445-2510, MountainArtistsGuild.Org)

9

Glass-eyed

A consideration of art, science, & optics

By Alan Dean Foster

I

“I am large, I contain multitudes.” t’s safe to say that Walt Whitman wasn’t thinking of fun house mirrors when he composed that line, but it fits what has always been a historically popular combination of physics and art. The reproduction of self or other objects, ad infinitum, has long been both possible and fascinating. Best of all, it requires a minimum of investment and effort.

When I was a kid, there used to be an over-thewater entertainment venue in Santa Monica, California, called Pacific Ocean Park. It had one decent, expensive ride, the Banana Train, to which was appended a host of Coney Island-type games and rides with ocean themes. It was over the water, so I didn’t care if some of it was a little tacky.

But besides the classy Banana Train, I distinctly remember the park’s version of fun house mirrors.

Along with the usual warped mirrors that made you look fat, or tall, there was an “infinity” room, where you could stand in the center surrounded by mirrors and see yourself reproduced over and over again, until your multitudinous tiny selves vanished like ants, swallowed up by distance and time. It was only simple optics, but it fascinated me.

It fascinated Orson Welles, too, who utilized the same fun house mirrors in “The Lady from Shanghai” and, later and more memorably, in 1958’s “A Touch of Evil.”

S

omething in us responds to visual tricks involving a combination of distance and duplication. Purely on an intellectual level, we react to the science. On an emotional level, to the art. Dresses in India, especially wedding dresses, have traditionally made use of bits of mirror when the bride’s family couldn’t afford gems, a practice still much in vogue today.

Brides reflect others in the wedding party, who reflect back on the bride, and so on.

Maharajahs’ palaces are filled with mirrored rooms, showing that our delight in infinite reflections reaches back hundreds, if not thousands of years. The Hall of Mirrors at Versailles enabled kings and nobles to see themselves magnified hundreds of times.

Which, after all, is what they really wanted all along.

I expect a hall of mirrors installation in the White House any day now.

I bring all this up by way of referencing what is arguably the most popular art exhibition currently running in this

Alan Dean Foster’s

Perceivings

country: Yayoi Kusama’s Infinity Mirrors at the Hirschhorn museum in Washington. It looks like enormous fun and the demand for tickets is overwhelming, but I see nothing that deviates from the old infinity mirror room at Pacific Ocean Park.

In saying that I don’t mean in any way to take away from the delight provided by Kusama’s work.

What’s old is often new again, and if that means filling an infinity room with rows of illuminated polka-dotted fake pumpkins, why, I’ve always enjoyed whimsy in art, whether by Hogarth or Bosch or … Kusama.

I

f an art installation is worthwhile, you disappear into it, be it sculpture, painting, or glass. In Kusama’s vision, you don’t just disappear into it, you literally step

10 • COLUMN • MAY 2017 • 5ENSESMAG.COM

inside it. It’s what we might call hard virtual reality: no fancy lenses or adjuvant electronics necessary.

I have a small infinity box. Inside, a single light source is multiplied by mirrors. The idea is to stare deep, deep into the artificial infinity to help relax your mind. I guess it doesn’t work appropriately for me because staring into it makes my mind churn as I contemplate physics and optics and bulbs and all the practical stuff.

There’s a better example inside the elevators of the Burj Khalifa. Located in Dubai, the Burj is currently the tallest building on Earth. Visitors can only ride as far as the upper observation deck, located at 555 meters (1821’). To reach it, you rise via specially designated high-speed elevators which are lined inside with … mirrors. The lights go out, and you are invited to gaze into your own ascending infinity mirror room, inside a working elevator. The idea is to get your mind off the fact that you are rocketing skyward in a little box suspended on cables, and to make the journey pass more quickly. It works. I compare it to standing outside at night and gazing up at the night sky, trying to gather in all the stars, while time passes.

Famed is thy beauty, Majesty ... but on further reflection, that‛s not a fair question, & leaving you glassy-eyed would be a tragedy.

S

o … I love infinity mirrors.

Art plus optics. Maybe another time, I’ll talk about kaleidoscopes.

Right now, I’m thinking of Kusama’s work, which contains multitudes.

Even if, unlike Whitman’s poetry, they do have to be plugged in.

Image components public domain. Illustration by 5enses.

***** 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.

Myth & Mind:

Loki’s tricky tongue saves his neck

T

By Reva Sherrard here was a time when words had power.

Oaths and contracts bound their makers as securely as iron, curses flew truer than arrows, and on the slippery outer edges of words was a subtle magic.

In the North, the god Loki wanted gifts for the Æsir, so he sought out the dwarves in their caverns, master smiths who made wondrous things from the Earth’s ores. From the four sons of Ivaldi he commissioned a spear for Odin that would strike whatever the thrower aimed at and always return to his hand; a mighty warship for Freyr that could be folded away so small and light it would fit in your pocket; and living golden hair to replace that which he’d cut from the head of the goddess Sif — another story entirely. When Loki had these treasures he showed them to the dwarf brothers Sindri and Brokkr. They were rivals of Ivaldi’s sons, and their works and hearts were darker.

“Toys,” the brothers sneered. “We make things of real power.”

“Care for a bet?” asked Loki. “Make your own gifts and let the recipients decide whose work is best. If Ivaldi’s sons win, we keep your gifts for free. If you win, how much gold do you want?”

Loki was good at getting gold.

“No gold. When we win, we take your head for our price.”

It was an irregular bargain, but Loki agreed.

Sindri and Brokkr set to work, and with secrets only they knew forged a savage golden boar to bear Freyr in battle — a gold ring for Odin that would give birth to nine more every ninth night — and Mjölnir, the invincible war-hammer, for Thor. Bursting with pride, Loki presented the wonders to the Æsir while they sat feasting. Odin, Thor and Freyr tested their new treasures as the other gods and goddesses looked on and the dwarf brothers peered from the shadows. Each gift was an incomparable work, but all agreed that Thor’s hammer was the best, for it gave him power to keep the lumbering creatures of destruction outside Asgard at bay.

No sooner was the judgement made than Sindri and Brokkr came forward to claim their payment.

Loki offered them gold — they loved blood better. He ran — Thor caught him. But just as Brokkr was lifting his axe, Loki said slyly, “I wish I could see how you’re going to manage to cut off my head without harming my neck. The neck wasn’t part of

“I’ve said what I came here to say,” he snarled, and left knowing that after many adventures he would never again be welcome among the Æsir.

When the gods had slept off their feast they hunted Loki down.

To punish him for disturbing their consciences and their peace, they bound him in a cave with a snake above him to forever drip its venom and burn his scarred mouth.

A

certain mental flexibility, and the tricky words that go with it, are Loki’s defining feature in the Norse myths. He didn’t have the awesome power of Odin or Thor’s titanic strength, but both those gods found him indispensable The Snaptun stone depicting Loki. Housed whenever they needed an unforeseeable solution to an insoluble at the Moesgård Museum near Århus, Denproblem — which was often. In the mark. Photo by Bloodofox, public domain.

Christian era, Loki was called a liar and assigned a darker character; the silverest tongue in the Bible is Satan’s, after all. So it bears emphasizing that Loki’s solutions always our bet, remember?” involved putting himself in situations ranging It was true. There was no way to sever a head from the ridiculous to the extremely dangerous to without taking a little neck off too. Though that benefit the Æsir. As an outsider (kin to the giants) had never held Brokkr back from decapitating anyone before, because Loki had said it, the dwarf and a shapeshifter who could be animal, man was bound. But the brothers would not leave with- or woman at will, he saw things differently and sometimes found himself at odds with the other out taking revenge. Dwarves are very strong; one held Loki down while the other punctured his lips gods because of it.

His words proved a double-edged weapon. No with an awl and sewed them shut with a leather one likes to feel they’ve been made a fool of or to cord. Thus the business between them was conhave their darkest secrets publicly flaunted, and if cluded. With cunning words Loki had won great Loki succeeded in shocking the Æsir out of their treasures for the gods — and learnt that dwarves complacency he suffered cruelly for it. So perhaps have no liking for logical sleights. the cleverest of the gods was too clever for his his was neither the first nor the last own good in the end; perhaps he thought the price time Loki’s tongue got him in trouble. was worth paying. Perhaps he was just making A day came when rather than to work trouble. It’s an ambiguity the trickster himself their powers in the world and help would appreciate.

Thor fight giants in the east who threatened to destroy all order and beauty, the ***** gods preferred to feast in a peaceful hall lit by While I aim for themes of general interest, my gold instead of fire. When they were very drunk, focus in this article is on the myths of NorthwestLoki came in and started a terrible quarrel. ern Europe because they are what I study. The All the secret things the gods hid from themworld is full of other rich, complex, and someselves and each other he exposed and mocked: times contradictory traditions I omit because of infidelities, shames, and weaknesses. One by my lack of sufficient knowledge, not through a one, the feasters tried to cajole or threaten him lack of appreciation and respect. into silence, but with bitter laughter he went on skewering their buried wrongs and vulnerabilities Reva Sherrard works at Peregrine Book Comtill Thor arrived, in an ugly mood from fighting pany, studies Old Norse religion, and is writing giants all day. Now his threats of violence, Loki a novel. knew better than to ignore.

T

5ENSESMAG.COM • MAY 2017 • FEATURE • 11

‘Usually they're just fun & w himsical’ The art (and gallery) of Sean Goté

By James Dungeon A stoic Easter Island idol, a mesmerizing wind turner, a classic Greek statue — there’s something everywhere at Sean Goté Gallery. And that’s just the outside.

Inside, the doors to the building on 702 W. Gurley St. yield to a cavernous room filled with more treasures. Here a life-size lion. There a bust of Dante.

And then there are the paintings. From realistic ravens to imaginative mountains to … is that Sideshow Bob/Mayor Terwilliger?!

Sean Goté Gallery hasn’t been in Prescott that long, but its eclectic, stylized art and décor is already making an impression. Owner and resident artist Sean Hart discusses how he and his wife, Dolores, came to Prescott and reflects on painting, commerce, and community. ...

business to move down here. But as luck would have it, we went back and sold the building within a week and had 30 days to move out. We literally packed up everything — the restaurant, the bar, the art, all our personal stuff, and spent a month doing nothing but hauling it all down here. Once we were settled, it was four giant rooms full of boxes and chairs and furniture. You know, we didn’t want to be downtown. It’s a lot busier there, and we wanted to have a more intimate space, a destination where people find out who and what we are and what we have. If people are interested, they’ll find us. We’re only two minutes from downtown.

A lot of the paintings on the walls are yours. How long have you been creating art?

I was such a rotten little kid that my mother stuck me in the corner all the time and I always had a crayon Sean Goté Gallery and a book to color seems to have just in. I’ve been doing art materialized out of nosince, well, forever. where. How long has it I’ve always painted but been here and where I could never make a were you before this? living at it, which isn’t We actually purchased all that unusual. I have, the building in September by my count, three or two years ago. We’ve been four thousand paintPaintings by Sean Goté. here for a year and a half ings wandering around and officially opened in in people’s homes and Courtesy images. collections. Twice in my life I November of last year. We had a saved up enough money to take gallery-slash-bar-slash-restaurant in Laramie, Wyoming for 20 years prior to this. a year off and work on being the next Van Gogh.

I’m Wyoming born-and-bred from a little town of Both times, six months later I was looking for a job.

1,800 people in Big Horn County called Greybull.

But I’ve always kept doing art. No matter where Dolores, my wife, is from Texas.

I’ve been, I’ve always set up a little painting space.

Sometimes months pass between paintings, but I Why move to Prescott? And why this building? keep going. It’s something that’s always thrilled me After 20 years of Laramie winters my wife said we and given me a sense of self-satisfaction and accomwere no longer doing winters where they suck. We plishment. looked at a lot of places. The final three were Bend, Ore., Grand Junction, Colo., and Prescott. We hated You’ve got quite a range — from realistic to Bend and couldn’t make anything work in Grand abstract, from animals to scenery to people.

Junction. When we came to Prescott, the first thing Are you saying I have no style? Well, I don’t. I we did was look at this building, and that was it. It forgot to have any lessons along the way, but I’ve dates back to 1977, when it was used for the manualways painted and it’s like anything else in life: It’s facturing of glass doors and windows. Since then, a growing process. Now that I’m here in Prescott, I it’s also been a supply space and a furniture store. paint almost daily and my paintings improved even It’d been vacant for about three-and-a-half years more. … When you’ve painted for 50 years, you’ve before we got here. … We put a lease option on the tried just about everything. For me, portraits are the building so we could go back to Laramie and sell our hardest. I do them, but they take me forever. I’m my

12 • FEATURE • MAY 2017 • 5ENSESMAG.COM

own worst critic and can’t move on until I’ve made absolutely everything perfect. From abstract to modern to contemporary painting, it’s all just whatever I feel like painting. My last month was all ravens. I painted six ravens that month, and of those six, four sold.

Why ravens?

I see them every day. They’re tricksters and they’re magical. I’ve always been interested in them and, when I was painting one recently I got so many comments on it — “Ohh, I like ravens” and things like that, and then that one sold before I even finished it — so I decided to paint a few more. They got bigger and better and now I’m going to do something else.

You’ve got portraits of characters and scenes from “The Simpsons.”

What’s your connection to that show and subject matter?

I remember when they first came out. Me and two friends got together every Thursday night to watch “The Simpsons” and “Twin Peaks.” It was a weekly thing that I couldn’t wait for. Of course, now it’s been on for 28 years. I’ve painted 17 of the characters and as far as I’m concerned, they could take everything else off of TV. Why pair the gallery with home furnishing and garden décor?

We took the best of everything we learned while we were there. It’s hard to be just a gallery and consistently make money, but when you add antiques and oriental carpets and stain glass lamps — plus the outdoor garden stuff, the wind chimes and wind turners, the fountains and sculptures and things to put on the wall — no matter who comes in, they can find something they like. When you’re putting all that together, it’s got to have a flow and a blend.

Within the gallery, itself, there are six magic spots that no matter what we put there people are attracted to it, so we’re constantly rotating things around those spaces. The flow and balance, though, after you’ve done it so many times, it just comes naturally. … One of the other things we learned from having a business in Laramie for 20 years was that nothing sells art better than two martinis.

Much of the jewelry that’s on display here is by your wife, Dolores, correct?

She’s very talented in a lot of ways. The thing she’s the best at is cooking, really, as you can smell right now, but what she really enjoys is making jewelry.

Pearls are probably her favorite. She’s been doing it for 20 years or so, now. It’s fun and doesn’t take up a lot of room and she can work on something and walk away from it. It doesn’t dry out and waits for you to come back and finish it. I think I can speak for her that the most important thing is that feeling of accomplishment. I get the same thing. There’s nothing better than that feeling when someone buys one of your paintings, wether it’s a $50 piece or a $300 piece.

Pretty much everything in here has a price tag. Is it difficult to live with some of these things as fixtures in your life and then sell them?

I’m Buddhist in nature about it. I’m not particularly attached to things.

I do have things that are favorites, but if someone wants to buy my favorite thing, it’s gone and I have new favorites.

It’s not a loss; it’s a gain on several levels. Over the years, I’ve sold a few things that weren’t really on the market but somebody wanted them.

I sold Dolores’ anniversary present one year. I haven’t heard the end of that, and that was a long, long time ago. It’s a part of what we do and what we’re about. At our age, part of it is giving back to the community. That’s a big reason why we have artists set up parking lot shows for free. We want to give back and to help Prescott grow. We want to be a part of the community. It helps unknown artists get known and get to meet people and see their reaction to their work.

They can sell some art, too, hopefully. It works on several levels.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 19 >>>

13

News From the Wilds

A mother Merganser allows her seven chicks to inspect Otter spraint in Oak Creek, before gathering them under her wings to sleep. Photo by Ty Fitzmorris.

M

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

We are lucky enough to have not one, but two distinct flowering seasons per year — our first great flowering happens this month, while the other great flowering is after the monsoon rains of mid-summer. Interestingly, many of our flowering plant species are unique to one or the other period. This bimodal flowering season is matched by peaks in activity in our animal species, as well.

Insect activity follows flowering very closely, as insects either pollinate flowers or disperse the seeds that result from that pollination. The peak in bird, mammal, reptile and amphibian activity

follows shortly after insects, as insects constitute much of the diets of these animals.

B

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

As temperatures rise and relative humidity falls through this month, the risk of wildfire increases dramatically, which is exacerbated by woody plant die-offs from pest outbreaks. Fire has long been an integral part of the landscapes of western North America, and many of our ecosystems rely on it, but due to long-term fire suppression and changes in the fire regime from non-native grasses, fires now are often much larger and more destructive than any time in the past. It is extremely important that humans, as the primary cause of fires, handle all incendiary material carefully during this time, and refrain especially from throwing cigarettes out of car windows and driving cars and ATVs off road or in dry grasses. With

14 • FEATURE • MAY 2017 • 5ENSESMAG.COM

careful management, such as that provided by the Prescott National Forest staff, fire can be carefully reintroduced into our wild areas, to the benefit of our fire-dependent landscapes. ***** Ty Fitzmorris is an itinerant and often distractible naturalist who lives in Prescott and is proprietor of the Peregrine Book Company, Raven Café, and Gray Dog Guitars, all as a sideline to his natural history pursuits. He can be reached at Ty@PeregrineBookCompany.Com.

Skyward • May 6: Eta Aquarid Meteor Shower. The peak of this moderate shower will be after midnight, with meteors appearing to radiate from the constellation Aquarius. This shower produces up to 20 meteors per hour, though the nearly full Moon will wash out all but the brightest.

• May 10: Full Moon at 2:42 p.m.

• May 25: New Moon at 12:45 p.m.

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

By Ty Fitzmorris

bears its fruit.

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

• Warbler migration reaches its peak early in the month. Many exotic warblers have already been seen this year, including Olive, Townsend’s, Wilson’s, Hermit, and Common Yellowthroat. Our resident species are nearly all returned now, as well, including Lucy’s, Yellow, Red-faced, Virginia’s, Grace’s, and Orange-crowned Warblers as well as the Yellow-breasted Chat and the rare Painted Redstart, all of which are beginning to nest and lay eggs.

Visit: Visit: Sycamore Basin Trail in Sycamore Canyon Wilderness, USFS No. 63.

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

• Fendler’s Meadow Rue begins flowering.

• Fendler’s Ceanothus in full flower.

Visit: Maverick Mountain Trail, No. 65.

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

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

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

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

Visit: Miller Creek Trail, No. 367.

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

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

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

Visit: Little Granite Mountain Trail, No. 37.

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

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

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

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

Visit: Tin Trough Trail, No. 308.

Grasslands • Pronghorn young are now over 2-months-old, and can routinely be seen with herds, running as fast as adults.

Spring Azures (Celastrina ladon) fly until early summer. Their caterpillars are tended and fed by ants, and live inside ant colonies until they pupate and fly.

Photo by Ty Fitzmorris.

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

• Antelope Horns (Asclepias asperula) flowers from now until August. This is one of over 20 species of milkweeds native to Arizona, all of which provide crucial food sources for Monarch Butterflies, the populations of which have been recently discovered to be declining rapidly. Many milkweeds can be cultivated, which helps Monarch populations. For more information on this, go to MakeWayForMonarchs.org.

Visit: Mint Wash Trail, No. 345.

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

• Riverside sedges flower while Texas Mulberry

Deserts/Chaparral • Many species of cactus flower, including pink and yellow prickly pears, hedgehog cacti, and, at the upper limit of the Sonoran Desert, Saguaros.

Look for native solitary cactus bees visiting all of these flowers.

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

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

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

Visit: Aqua Fria National Monument.

Weather Average high temperature: 75.5 F (+/-4) Average low temperature: 41.1 F (+/-3.9) Record high temperature: 97 F (1910) Record low temperature: 5 F (1899) Average precipitation: 0.47” (+/-.5”) Record high precipitation: 2.35” (1992) Record low precipitation: 0” (24 percent years on record) Max daily precipitation: 1.3” (May 10, 1922) Source: Western Regional Climate Center

15

A matter of record(s)

TRAX Records returns to Prescott three decades later

By Robert Blood The interior of TRAX Records looks exactly like what you’d expect from a small-town indie vinyl shop.

The walls are lined with classic and new records beneath which runs row after row of LPs. A central island is buoyed by CDs, and, in the corner, rests an assortment of record players, concert DVDs, and various music-related errata. It’s cozy and unassuming.

The music playing over the stereo is familiar and behind the counter stands a friendly guy who looks a bit like Paul McCartney. Often clad in a band T-shirt, sometimes donning a suit coat, he’s all smiles and is, naturally, excited to talk about music.

TRAX Records has been at 234 S. Montezuma St. since November of 2016, but longtime Prescott residents might think it sounds a bit too familiar. Owner Daryl Halleck talks about his store’s storied history. ...

How long have you been in Prescott and how long has TRAX Records been here?

Trax Records has been here since November of last year. I’ve been here since 1986, so that was 31 years in March. It’s all come full circle for me.

When I first came to Prescott it was for a summer to visit family and I fell in love with it. I loved the downtown, I loved the courthouse, which looked a lot like the clock tower from “Back to the Future,” and when I decided to stay, I decided I wanted to open up a record shop. I was a huge John Hughs fan and I’d just seen the movie “Pretty in Pink” twice in the theater, so when I was trying to think of a name, I took the record shop from that movie, Trax Records. That’s also why the sign and the shop are all bright pink. I opened the store on Gurley Street next to Ken Lindley Park, and I was there for about a year. The landlords wanted to put in a restaurant and I had to move out, so I went to Prescott Valley. CDs were becoming all the rage then, in 1987/88, and vinyl sales were dropping, so I immediately switched over. I was really sad about that — I’d always wanted a record shop — but CDs were what was selling. ... I kept that store, which was called Music Stop, until 2004, so that was 18 years. ... After that, I had music in antique stores in downtown Prescott for two or three years at a spot in Penningtons. After that, I was working with mentally disabled adults five days a week, mostly driving them around, and I often went to the square downtown because the scenery is so nice. I saw the spot was open here, and decided it was time to re-open TRAX Records.

getting tons of kids who’re 14 or 15, and some of them are coming in with their parents. I expected to sell a lot of Bruno Mars, but it’s been tons of The Beatles, Bob Dylan — all the classics. Sometimes the parents say we used to play this or that when they were young and they weren’t into it, but now that they’re older they’re realizing how great that music it.

That old music has long legs. It’s cool to see that that kind of music is still being recognized and appreciated.

TRAX Records. Photo by 5enses.

Why come back to vinyl? And why come back to downtown Prescott?

It’s everything about it. I like the sound — the depth and warmth of vinyl. There’s the artwork, the detail you can really see. And I like being able to pull out and read the liner notes and the lyrics. I’ve been through everything from vinyl, to 8-tracks, t0 cassettes, to CDs, and vinyl has the best sound. … As far as being downtown, I love getting to know the people here. The Courthouse Square is just so beautiful with the grass and trees and all the holiday stuff. When I saw the building with the exposed brick and wood floor, I knew I need to paint the place purple and hot pink. It’s all come full circle, 30 years later, coming back to TRAX Records. It’s a second chance, like I’m being reborn. ... It seems like people are really excited about it. Every day, people come in and tell me how happy they are that there’s a record store here or that vinyl’s back. That makes me feel really good, like I’m helping the community.

What’s your clientele like these days? Is it different than you expected?

Well, I really thought my crowd was going to be middle-aged mostly males. But, instead I’m

16 • FEATURE • MAY 2017 • 5ENSESMAG.COM

This might seem pretty self-evident, but what role does music play in people’s lives?

I think it ties into entertainment in general. You put in your work or school week or whatever it is that you do, and you want to relax with a movie or listen to music. Wherever you go, there’s music.

You listen to music when you drive to a place. And music, it creates memories. I can hear a song and thirty years later, I can immediately feel where I was and what I was doing at the time. That’s one of the coolest things about music, really.

You play in a local band, too, The Sex Toyz.

Can you tell us about the band, and what, if anything, that has to do with the store?

Well, I started The Sex Toyz as a punk band in Tucson in 1984 with a friend of mine. At that time we were in the middle of a big hardcore scene influenced by the So-Cal scene. We were booking all-ages shows and had bands coming through like The Vandals and Dead Kennedys. When we moved to Prescott, there were lots of really good bands, and so we did The Sex Toyz off and on over the last 30 year with different people. Right now, in its current incarnation, we’ve been doing it with the same people for about three years. There aren’t a lot of places to play for a punk band that plays mostly originals in a small town, but we try to do shows. We also try to wear a lot of black and pink on stage, so there’s a small tie-in to the record shop. So, you know, they kind of blend together. This isn’t so much a job as a lifestyle in some ways. ***** TRAX Records is open 11 a.m.-6 pm. TuesdaySaturday at 234 S. Montezuma St., 928-830-9042.

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.

A table at the place

Senses enriches foodie life in Prescott

By James Dungeon [Editor’s note: The following interview was culled from conversations between the reporter and Chef John Panza and Pastry Chef Cassandra Hankison, the team behind Senses. Visit Senses online via Facebook or SquareUp.Com/Store/ Senses. Reach out by emailing SensesLLCInfo@ Gmail.Com or texting SENSES to 22828.]

What is it that Senses is and does?

Panza: There’s three parts to what we do. We do popup dinners in and around Prescott, restaurant takeovers, and in-home dining experiences. The popup dinners are probably the most unique event we do. You purchase tickets to the meal without knowing where it is or what you’ll be eating. Twenty-four hours in advance, we disclose the location and the menu and let you know if it’s BYOB and things like that. When you arrive at the event, it’s up to 30 people all seated family style at a big table. It’s dinner and a show — I’m out in front and talk about the meal and there’ll be Q-and-As. It’s very intimate and very interactive.

Some of the places we’ve done that have been the Groom Creek Schoolhouse and Studio 12, which is a photo studio, and the Thumb Butte Ramada in the Prescott National Forest. For the restaurant takeovers, you know a little bit more about it, specifically where it’s at. We work with small businesses and adopt our menu and meal to them.

It’s not always family style seating for that. For the in-home dining, we do catered events or parties, but also do them as in-home takeovers, which are more interactive. Myself being the chef, I’m there talking about techniques, teaching homeowners about cooking. We customize the menus for the home events. It could be 12 courses for two people or three courses for 30 people.

Hankison: It’s a unique experience, something outside the handful of restaurants you have to chose from. It’s the fast growing food trend to date, as well, so it’s something new we’ve brought to Prescott from bigger cities around the world. One of our customers told us they’d done something similar when they were in Germany recently.

What’s the price range for these experiences?

Panza: It varies, obviously. I’d say from $28 to $85 a head depending on the situation. I’d say $60 a head is a good average. It’s always going to be high-end service and food. It’s always going to be a unique location.

Hankison: We also like to focus on local food and supporting local growers. We’re always shopping at the Prescott Farmers Market.

Panza: We get inspiration from wherever we’re having events, too. When we’re in a coffee house, like Black Dog Coffee & Tea, where we’re talking today, I’m obviously going to use their coffee.

When we did an event here, I did some South American and Guatemalan-type food because that’s where their coffee comes from. So, we took those flavors and I put my own spin on them.

It’s hard to say what we’re going to do for a given event. We adapt and change things for every location.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 18 >>>

FROM TOP: A Senses pup dinner at Sean Goté Gallery; a scallop prepared by Senses. Courtesy photos.

5ENSESMAG.COM • MAY 2017 • FEATURE • 17

see what we can get that’s new and different that day.

Panza: I have no idea what we’re going to do until I see it, really.

... FROM PAGE 17 What are some of the cooking techniques you showcase?

Panza: Well, it’s a mix of modern day techniques, cooking styles, and plating.

Hankison: You’ve got to talk about sous-vide.

That’s pretty interesting and people always ask questions about it.

Panza: It’s a two part process. The first involves vacuum sealing whatever you’re going to use. The second involves cooking it in a very controlled water bath. You circulate the water and measure the temperature with a tool that’s accurate to the tenth of a degree. It cooks the food evenly and keeps you from overcooking pieces of meat. The most extreme example is a pot roast.

When you do that at home it takes six or seven hours, low and slow. With sous-vide, I’d take the same cut and cook it at 125 for three days. It’s just as tender, but it’s still medium rare all the way through. … It takes a lot more planning, especially for that. With a piece of chicken, for example, I’d cook it for about four or five hours. The idea is for it to be tender and moist all the way through.

What are your backgrounds?

Hankison: I went to culinary school in California and studied baking and pastries. So, I’m trained as a party chef, but as of late I’ve been doing more with marketing and helping Chef John in the kitchen.

Panza: Ever since I was a little kid, I always wanted to be a chef. You know how they ask you what you want to be when you grew up? Well, I knew, and I said “a chef.” I went to ASU to do the normal thing and get the normal college experience. That last about half a year before I left to go to culinary school at Scottsdale Community College. I worked at a few different places including Different Pointe of View, the longest tenured four diamond restaurant in the valley. After that I was overseeing things at the Hilton San Diego Bayfront. Then I got a call from a buddy from the Capital Canyon Club at the old Hassayampa Country Club and I came over as the executive chef. That’s where I met Cassandra. Eventually, I got to thinking the whole town needed something fresh, so we started Senses. So, we’ve been going since July, 2016.

What’s been the biggest challenge so far?

Panza: Just explaining to people what we do.

Hankison: It’s getting people to break habits, like having date night at the same place every week. People can be pretty set in their ways, and this is something different. But we want to do good food and give people a unique experience.

Panza: It’s always a unique experience. For instance, we did a dinner at Sean Goté Gallery and I was very inspired by all of the art that’s hanging on the walls there. We did a hamachi crudo and the sauce on the dishes dripping down the plates like paint. Next we did homemade ravioli and the tomato sauce was splattered like paint, as well.

What else goes into the dining experience?

Hankison: The chef’s table is right there, so you’re in the splash zone. From cooking to plating, Chef John talks about what he’s doing and there’s a lot of conversation with dinner.

Panza: People ask questions. I talk about cooking different things. We get a lot of questions about where we get our produce, so I’ll say it again: We’re huge on the Prescott Farmers Market. Also, the venue is so important. We build on whatever’s there. If we’re in your home, we’re going to do our take on backyard barbecue or home-cooked classics. We’ll use the flavors you know, but make them into something else. It’s also very seasonal, depending on what’s fresh.

Then, the entrée course was a smoked venison dish with sweet potatoes that came from the Farmers Market, then desert was an opera cake. … So, we’re inspired by the food that’s around us and the places we’re serving it.

Hankison: We always try to use a lot of local produce. The biggest issue with local food here is fish, obviously.

Panza: But we have a source that’s as fresh as anywhere else in the state. We really want to have good sea food along with higher end proteins like venison. We had rabbit the other day, which was the first time I’d worked with rabbit. That was at the old racket club out in the woods with all those big trees. I thought rabbit would be the right thing to fit those surroundings. We use lamb a lot, too, and veal cheek.

Hankison: That’s part of the reason we don’t announce the food too far in advance. We want to

18 • FEATURE • MAY 2017 • 5ENSESMAG.COM

So what’s next for Senses?

Panza: Well, actually, we’re purchasing a restaurant here in town and … well, I’m not sure when I can announce this so … [Editor’s note: Visit 5ensesMag.Com and click this story for news on this front. An announcement from Senses is expected in mid-May.] The first step is opening a restaurant proper and expanding what we’re doing.

Where does the name Senses come from?

Panza: We were just driving around brainstorming and thinking about what we wanted the name to be.

Hankison: And I asked you what you wanted people to experience.

Panza: I want people to experience more than just taste. I want them to be visually excited, for it to smell good and for them to hear the action in the kitichen and for the music to be just right and for the textures to be new and exciting. I wanted to go beyond taste, to touch all of the senses.

Hankison: And there you go, Senses. ***** Visit Senses online via Facebook or SquareUp. Com/Store/Senses. Reach out by emailing SensesLLCInfo@Gmail.Com or texting SENSES to 22828.

James Dungeon is a figment of his own imagination. And he likes cats. Contact him at JamesDungeonCats@Gmail.Com.

FROM TOP: Chef John Panza; Pastry Chef Cassandra Hankison.

Courtesy photos.

... FROM PAGE 13 Given your ability and range, how do you choose something to focus on?

I’ve been doing this so long that it’s all pretty natural. If I decide I want to paint a snake or a mountain or a house, it’s just a matter of getting out the brushes and doing it. I try to draw or sketch the basic idea of what I want it to look like. I tend to go more toward wilder colors. I like brightness and the interaction between colors.

Doing the ravens was exceptionally fun because it started out so small and turned into a 4’ x 4’ painting of just a head. And then I was done. I love to do clouds and mountains. I like to be creative and just make them, but I’ve done a couple actual mountains, too, like Mt. Fuji in Japan. Usually they’re just fun and whimsical, though. That’s true of a lot of my art.

Quite a bit of your art is rather whimsical.

I’ve always been a bit of a jokester and I like humor and have a lighthearted attitude. We try to create that same sort of atmosphere in the store.

We want to make sure it’s not a super serious place, that it’s fun and whimsical. I like things that bounce off of each other and and can stand on their own. And the cats. Almost everybody likes cats. And the fish. They’re everywhere, here and there, throughout the place. We find things in our travels, buy them, then put them in this space.

I can’t keep clowns in, for some reason. Everybody likes clowns, apparently. It’s fun to look for things and to share them. If I can have a business doing that, that’s even better. I like to have a major change in here every two weeks or so. Sometimes things look better in different rooms.

Why do you paint under the name Sean Goté?

I don’t want to get too specific on that, but my last name is Hart and I’ve never liked how that looked as a signature. It’s no Van Gogh. I guess I had a girlfriend back in my 20s who kind of played with my signature and turned it into Goté.

I loved how it looked and it felt right. “Sean Goté”:

There’s no other name that I know like it, and it’s stuck ever since. There are thousands of paintings with my Goté signature on them. Certainly, I’m not going to change it now.

What about Prescott has proved different from what you expected? Any surprises?

Well, I can tell you the most enjoyable part about Prescott is the people. You walk into the store or walk by someone on the street and they smile. I’ve had people wave at me and honk while I’m out working. It’s kind of like, “Welcome. We’re glad you’re here.” That makes moving to a new place a lot easier. It’s a lot easier to be part of a new community when you feel wanted and liked.

What we’re trying to create here is a little unusual, but I think people want that. We’ve found notes on the door from people saying thank you, that we’re a welcome addition to the neighborhood. I can’t think of anyone who’s not come in and not left here feeling good, just in general. This is not about how much money I can make. It’s about making our own space and encouraging and rewarding other artists and helping people with decorating and helping them find cool stuff. … It’s been nice to come and go as we please, too. If I want to go horseback riding, I can just put a sign on the door that says “gone horseback riding.” There’s one right here on the counter I used recently. Here, it says, “Gone to catch a raven. Be back by 1 p.m.” I like that it feels free here.

What are your plans for the gallery for the future?

One of the things we’re doing is making this space available for private events like birthday parties. We can easily seat 20 people. For my birthday, we had over 70 people in here and a surprise gift — belly dancers. We also have a 15’ movie screen and a small stage. We’d like to bring in some local music, just to add some more fun and adventure to the place. Now that the weather’s better and the outdoor garden is open, it’s the perfect place for a private cocktail party. There’s a lot of room for people to wander around and enjoy the sights and sounds. We’re still looking for mu-

sicians and want people to contact us. It’s a paying gig. We’re also looking for more artists who’d like to set up on weekends. We do a lot of this to please ourselves and make our own lives more fun. You know, I can’t wait to get up in the morning. I have so much to do, and that’s exciting. At 72, my life is getting shorter. I’ve got a lot to give back and to share and to enjoy. The days aren’t long enough any more. When you’re able to do something you love and enjoy and find rewarding, it makes every day of life full. It makes it a joy to be alive. ***** Sean Hart’s art is at Sean Goté Gallery, which is open 11 a.m.-6 p.m. or by appointment or coincidence at 702 W. Gurley St., 928-445-2323. Find out more at SeanGote.Com and via Facebook.

James Dungeon is a figment of his own imagination. And he likes cats. Contact him at JamesDungeonCats@Gmail.Com.

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: Dolores Hart (lower left), poses for a photo in Sean Goté Gallery; jewelry by Dolores Hart; Sean Goté/Hart. Courtesy photos.

5ENSESMAG.COM • MAY 2017 • FEATURE • 19

Prescott Peeps: Andrew Johnson-Schmit What originally brought you to Prescott?

It was 20 years ago, 1997, and Angie and I were living in Chicago. We’d just gone through a really bad summer, like people-literally-dying-fromthe-heat bad, and it was followed by a really bad winter, like people-literally-dying-from-the-cold bad. It had a biblical, apocalyptic feel to it. One night, I was talking to my brother John, who was going to Prescott College, and that got the process started. Then Christian Smith, who was also in Prescott, urged us to come out and sleep on his couch. My brother, John, helped me score my first job jockeying a video camera at the race track. So, anyway, we left Chicago in a U-Haul and got here with $36 between us. Angie gave me some of that $36 and sent me to Basha’s to get the cheapest lunch meat and the cheapest bread and mustard.

That’s what we were going to live on. In my glazed state from the drive, I saw a guy with a handgun on his hip in the store. In Chicago, when you see someone strapped in a grocery store, that means someone’s about to kill a trifling girlfriend or the cashier, so I dove behind the cantaloupe. There was this little old lady, and I was about to warn her when I saw she was strapped with an even larger caliber weapon. That’s when I knew I was in a different place altogether.

You recently finished your last Prescott Arts Beat radio segment. You’ve been doing that for at least a decade. Why put it to bed now?

It was 13 years. I was a one man staff and I was doing it as a volunteer position. I’ve been doing more and more with local film, so it just seemed like it was time to step back and pursue something else. I gather the radio station is looking for someone to fill the spot, so if you’re interested. … It was great getting to know different people in the arts community in Prescott.

I’ve met so many artists in the Quad City area. I’ve even gotten to interview some famous artists and entertainers who were either passing through Prescott or the Sedona International Film Festival. Paula Poundstone, Ed Asner, Elliott Gould, and David Strathairn were all really impressive. The nice thing about interviewing people like that wasn’t that they were famous so much as the fact they’ve had so many bad interviews over the years with morning zoo types that they seemed genuinely grateful and surprised that I super researched them ahead of time and integrated that material into my questions. It wasn’t just, “So what’s Steven Spielberg like?” They realized I had an interest in their stuff, and we made personal connections. …

Doing something like the Buckey Awards, which I did for three years, I think we were able to celebrate and recognize people that normally don’t

on it. … In terms of the sound issues, we ended up working with Steve Mann, a retired sound effects editor who happened to retire in Prescott. He not only lent us his resources and skills, but also several decades worth of sound effects he’s made.

He also really schooled us on how to make something that you can sell for money that’s more than a pittance.

Andrew Johnson-Schmit.

Courtesy photo. speak up. I wanted the nomination itself, not the award, to be meaningful. It’s funny, the website for that still gets all these disproportionately large number visits because all the nominees are listed there. I remember the last year when Linne Thomas won outstanding artist of the year. She’s kind of shy and it really touched her. I’m just happy to help out people.

You and your wife, Angie Johnson-Schmit, have worked on film projects via your own Ganesha Filmworks and Burns Unit. What are you up to these days?

Right now, we’re in post-production on a web series we got hired to do for Kevin Goss based on a character he created. We’re two episodes into a five-episode run, but it’s all in post production at this point. That’s as Ganesha Filmworks. With “Witch Child,” a Burns Unit project, we’re still in post. We went into extra innings on that one because all the sound work and music. Matt Jackson had been working on that but passed during the production. Not only did we lose the man doing the work, but also all of the people he knew that he could’ve brought in to help. We had to basically teach ourselves how to do the work. We find people who can give us a little time here and there for work in a studio for free or deferred money, which aren’t the best terms when you’re trying to get something done.

Just to be really clear, we’re taking our time and really trying to have “Witch Child” on a level playing field. It’s not a low-budget, we’re-just-havingfun kind of thing; we want to have a product that’s sellable. So many people have invested time and money into it and we want them to see a return

20 • FEATURE • MAY 2017 • 5ENSESMAG.COM

What kind of help are you looking for these days?

We’d love to work with people interested in film work, with people who know how to record sound and make sound effects, people interested in editing film, and people interesting in doing video effects. We recently found a 15-year-old kid in Phoenix who’s really good at video effects. His dad is a friend of a friend, which is how we got in contact, and he plans on going to college for video effects. He sent me something he’d worked on, and it was good, so I sent him some video from Witch Child — a video we shot in Arcosanti of someone holding their breath underwater looking like a ghost and a video with actors’ reactions that we shot in Congress — and asked him to put them together. And he did it really well. Now, he’ll show up as a freshman in college with an IMDb (Internet Movie Database) credit. I wish I’d had something like that as a kid when I was applying to schools.

You’ve done a lot for the arts in the community via “Prescott Arts Beat,” as the last director of the original Tsunami on the Square, as the founder of the Buckey Awards, and via Coyote Radio Theater. Why make the switch to creating art yourself?

Well, I’m 52-years-old. It was my last year of Tsunami when Angie asked me what I wanted to do next. I hadn’t thought about it. I finally decided if I was going to do something with film, I’d better start doing it pretty quick. Now’s the time if it’s ever going to happen. So, we did “Dead Votes Society,” a horror comedy. During the course of that, Angie found out she really likes doing film work, which was out of the blue for her. When I’d talk to her about film before, like any spouse, she’d just roll her eyes at me, but during Dead Votes Society, that changed for the first time. It’s something we can do together. I’m glad I came to this at 52 and didn’t have to go through that auteur phase. That’s a young man’s game — that “my artistic vision” thing. Being in my 50s, my ego’s not on the front burner. I’ve been kicked in the teeth enough times to know what’s important and have gotten to a more Buddhist place where I just want the idea to work. It’s not so much my idea; on set, if someone has an idea and it serves the work, that’s what’s best. ***** Contact Andrew Johnson-Schmit via Facebook.

Get Involved Citizens Water Advocacy Group Who are you and what do you do?

I’m Leslie Hoy, and I’m a board member of the Citizens Water Advocacy Group. I’m also the media coordinator and the membership chair, too. Our mission is to promote a sustainable water future for the Upper Verde River Basin and the Prescott Management Area. We educate the public, encourage citizen action, and advocate for responsible governmental decision making. … You have to start the discussion with the fact that the Upper Verde is threatened by ground water pumping. Scientific studies have shown that over-pumping in the Upper Verde watershed and Big Chino Aquifer will diminish base flow and average flow, which means the Verde River could eventually dry up. We’d like to see the river maintained. It’s so important for the wildlife and vegetation in the area, and we really need to think about water for people, too.

As far as advocacy goes, we do attend all the public water meetings. We don’t lobby too much, as we’re a 501 (c) (3) and there are limitations on that. What we try to do, though, is educate decision makers. We were founded in 2002 and we’re all volunteer with no paid employees. We also do projects.

We had one with a grant from the Environmental Protection Agency to install rain water harvesting systems downtown at Prescott Station. We also host a candidate forum related to upcoming elections. And we also have a demonstration garden at Granite Peak Unitarian Universalist Congregation, where we hold our monthly meetings. We do a lot of things to educate the public, including guest speakers at our public meetings and the candidate forums so voters can make informed decisions.

How can we get involved?

We’d love to have new members.

We’re mainly supported by memberships which are $25 per household.

We also have a student rate of $10.

We’re at about 170 members at the moment. If people want to get a taste of what we do, we have a monthly meeting that’s open to the public.

We also have two emails we send out you can subscribe to on our website.

One of them is a weekly calendar of water meetings in the area. The other is a periodic email with news and views that I compile related to the local area.

One of the best things people can do is practice personal water conservation. Outdoor conservation is really the most important part of that.

Try to plant low water-use plants for landscaping. Native plants are also part of that. The city of Prescott’s website has a great section about that with lots of information and pictures of really nice landscaping. The Native Garden specializes in native plants, and they’re a great resource, too. It’s also good to request that kind of info from other garden stores. The more you request, the more they’ll carry those kinds of plants. Indoors, it’s little things like turning your sink off when you’re not directly using it, like when you’re brushing your teeth. The toilet is probably the biggest water user in the house. If you don’t have and can’t afford a low water-use toilet, you can always fill a water bottle and put it in the tank to help reduce the amount of water it uses. Little things like that add up. ***** Find out more about the Citizens Water Advocacy Group at CWAGAZ.Org or via Facebook.

United Animal Friends Who are you and what do you do?

I’m Jennifer Casey, the vice president of United Animal Friends.

We’re an all-volunteer group of about 175 and were founded in 2003. We provide rescue programs and services to animals and those who care for them. Our adoption program mainly draws from highkill shelters. We provide fosters for them, as much as possible, and have the Kitty City space in PetCo, which is donated by PetCo. We don’t have a shelter, proper. If we have to, we’ll board a cat or dog to save its life. A lot of the pets we rescue, maybe 75 to 80 percent come from Gallup, N. M. The reason we go so far out of the area is because when we started working with their Humane Society, they had a 95 percent kill rate.

We have local listings for people who want to relinquish their pets for whatever reason that helps cut out the fosters and makes for smoother transitions. We also have a low-cost spay/ neuter program to help low-income families.

We also have a regular free spay/neuter clinic via the Chino Valley Animal Hospital and Kachina Animal Hospital for those in the most need. We also have a community pet food bank that distributes food once a month for needy cats and dogs. In some instances, we also do that for horses or goats. The pet food bank is actually a feed program for the spay/neuter clinic because we require all animals that get food be spayed or neutered.

And we also have an emergency medical program and we help out as we can with medical costs. Because our mission statement is to provide services to animals and the people who care for them, we encompass just about every need that we can

fill in the community. We’re not just taking cats and dogs and finding them homes.

How can we get involved?

We can always use more volunteers, especially young volunteers and male volunteers. Our volunteers are primarily female, and it’d be nice to have some muscle to help with the pet food bank. There are also volunteer opportunities for people to be fosters or help with adoption events or with the monthly pet food distribution. We could also use help with transporting animals, fundraising events, and grant writing. There are some volunteers who just pick up the phones or answer phone messages.

And, of course, we can always use donations. You can reach out to do that through the website or our P.O. Box address. Dog and cat food is always appreciated, and you can drop off donations at PetCo. Whiskers Barkery has also been very good with holding stuff for us for a couple of days until we can get someone down there. Our biggest goal right now is to get a facility. We’re hoping the right property will come along soon. It’s a matter of finding and funds. … In terms of fostering animals, the average is probably a couple of weeks to a month. Puppies usually get adopted fairly quickly.

We stand behind all of our animals, though, and occasionally we’ll have an animal for better than a year. We’re not going to give up on them, though. ***** Find out more about United Animal Friends at UnitedAnimalFriends.

Org or by contacting 928-778-2924 or P.O. Box 11133; Prescott, AZ 86304.

***** 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 • MAY 2017 • FEATURE • 21

Not-asholy days

W

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

A

fifty-six year-old Spanish thief grabbed the purse of a woman in Alicante, Spain. It contained approximately $170. In his haste to get away, the bandit accidentally swallowed his own dentures.

May 1: Mother Goose Day. (On our playlist: Jethro Tull.)

ODDLY ENOUGH … By the time the authorities arrived, the ill-fated purse snatcher had choked to death when the false teeth lodged in his windpipe.

May 4: Star Wars Day. (May the Fourth be with you.)

May 6: No Diet Day. (Go hog wild.)

May 8: No Socks Day. (Take that, sock puppets.)

May 11: Eat What You Want Day. (Didn’t we just do that?)

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

May 13: Frog Jumping Day. (How is there not a Frogger movie?)

May 16: National Sea Monkey Day. (They’re the largest animals in the Great Salt Lake.)

May 17: Pack Rat Day. (It’s fun for dyslexics, too!)

May 25: National Tap Dance Day. (It’s all about the shoes.)

*****

T

exas Threadsnakes (which actually live in other states as well) can grow up to 8 inches in length, but are still small enough to comfortably coil up on a dime with plenty of room left to spare. They look very much like earthworms but are voracious hunters. They have extremely shiny scales and find their prey by a keen sense of smell.

ODDLY ENOUGH … Threadsnakes mainly feed on large ants which could easily overpower them and kill them. However, unlike most snakes which slowly envelope their food to swallow it, these tiny snakes have lightning fast, hinged jaws which allow the snake to gobble ants quicker than they can retaliate, opening and snapping their mouths shut many times a second. ***** Russell Miller is an illustrator, cartoonist, writer, bagpiper, motorcycle enthusiast, and reference librarian.

Currently, he illustrates books for Cody Lundin and Bart King.

22 • FEATURE • MAY 2017 • 5ENSESMAG.COM

Announces A New Name

Same Friendly Staff, Two Great Locations, One Name: SWC SWC Prescott

FREE GRAM with the Purchase of 1/8th Follow Us On

480-245-6751

SWCARIZONA.COM

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

al Sanctua c i g ry lo oo

A Prog

lers

schoo

r Pre ram fo

ow

928-778-5900

2009 E. 5th St. Ste. 11 Tempe, AZ. 85281

Heritage Par kZ

123 E. Merritt St. Prescott, AZ. 86301 Mon-Sat 10:00-7:00 Sun 12:00-7:00

SWC Tempe

New Patient Special

Exp lore

er Discov

Gr

Come Play in the Dirt! Zoolittles is a fun and engaging program for preschoolers, ages 3-5, held in a garden setting with a focus on early educational activities.

Wednesdays/Saturdays, May through September 9:30 am - 11:30 am Pre registration is required. For more information or to register please call 928.778.4242 Interested in volunteering as an assistant instructor for Zoolittles? Call today!

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

Featured Musical events