2013-12 5enses

Celebrating art and science in Greater Prescott December 2013

Volume 1, Issue 12

+ Alan Dean Foster offers a seriously comic take on art Ty Fitzmorris leaves a light on for dark days in the wilds Jimmy Polinori champions cheap gifting with taste

And much 2 more!

If it ain't chickens, it's feathers

5enses

December 2013 • Volume 1, Issue 12 Copyright © 2013 5enses Inc. unless otherwise noted.

Publisher & Editor: Nicholas DeMarino Creative Director: Jimmy Polinori Copy Editor: Susan Smart Read a new 5enses the first Friday of every month.

Visit 5ensesMag.Com, Facebook, & Twitter for more.

Contact us at 5ensesMag@Gmail.Com & 928-613-2076.

PLUS

8 20

In which: Matt Dean

4 5 7 10 11 12 13 16

espouses good common sense about why a common aircraft is good and sensible.

Left Brain/Right Brain

17 18 19 22 24 25 26

Ty Fitzmorris

makes sure no one is left in the dark during waxing winterage.

Ruby Jackson

Jacques Laliberté

Robert Blood

Debra Jan Owen

Mike Vax

Helen Stephenson

gets into the holiday spirit with cheese-y food, parades, lights, solstitial stories, and one big boot.

discusses mailboxes, photomontage, and taking risks with photographer Carolyn Dunn.

draws parallel, perpendicular, and skewed lines between music, art, and science.

pens a pair of letters about works of art and art that works.

does a double take and welcomes a dynamic directing duo back to Prescott.

Paolo Chlebecek

Alan Dean Foster

Gene Twaronite

James Dungeon

Jacques Laliberté

bangs his head against pretentious panels then decides to reframe old favorites at home instead.

discusses poultry topics and feathery affairs with pathogenic sleuth Jerome Welna.

Jill Craig

gets caught in the headlights and finds herself roughing it in the wilds, fighting for dear life.

Winter thyme & holly daze

The science of holidays

professes belief that the best things in life come in human-shaped boxes.

Jimmy Polinori

wraps up a holiday treatise about gobble-worthy goodies and thrifty, tasteful treats.

Find out what’s going on in Greater Prescott

proffers practical protection against an emergent computer virus that holds files hostage.

is heaved from the heavens but takes no small consolation in constellations, naturally.

makes like a tree and leaves the holiday decorating to the holey rollers.

aA

COVER: Design by

by Jimmy Polinori.

“Poulet du Guerre,” World War I-era French poster. By G. Dovanne, public domain.

�ENSESMAG.COM • DECEMBER ���� • CONTENTS • �

Bird Watching (No, The Other Kind)

By Matt Dean

Ever

notice that when you drive by the airport in Prescott, you see the same planes buzzing by time after time? A lot of them are Cessna 172 Skyhawks, and they’re one of the most common planes across America.

This 172 has been a staple of the skies for more than 60 years. It’s a basic high-mount fixed-wing aircraft with a tricycle landing gear. It seats up to four and is powered by a single piston engine.

Sometimes, on plane spotting trips to the outskirts of Ernest A. Love Field, my daughter and I exclusively spot 172s. And most of them are blue and white. If the coloring didn’t tip you off, they’re from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.

On Fridays, we’ve often spotted a handful of Embry-Riddle 172s practicing touch-and-go landings from north to south. The school has a fleet of 16 for their fixed-wing flight

Plane to see

A private Cessna Skyhawk 172XP-N4674K. Photo by Josh Beasley, Creative Commons 2.0. program.

Saturday mornings are a good time to see both Embry-Riddle 172s and private, civilian 172s.

The first production model of the

� • FEATURE • DECEMBER ���� • �ENSESMAG.COM

172 appeared in 1956. Since that time, some 43,000 172s in multiple variants have been produced. The Skyhawk has been one of the basic, entry-level planes for aspiring

pilots since the 172’s inception. It’s an aircraft that’s proved its worth as not only reliable and easy to fly but affordable as well. Cessna 172s in the used market often have prices less than $100,000 down to scrap prices. Still, a new 172 will probably set you back $275,000-$320,000.

When you hear airplane buzz and look skyward, look for wings mounted atop a fuselage and three wheels beneath one furiously spinning propeller. If that’s what you see, you’ve probably spotted a Cessna 172 Skyhook. It’s unequivocally the most popular civilian and trainer aircraft ever produced. ***** Matt Dean is a Prescott native and a teacher for Prescott High School’s online program who enjoys spending time with his family and walks with the dogs. When he’s not aircraft spotting, you can find him steadily working on projects at his home and property. Contact him at Matt.Dean@PrescottSchools.Com.

... the Corner

aA

Around ...

By Ruby Jackson

“Na, na, na. Gonna have a good time. Hey, hey, hey!” Even though The Good Good restaurant at 530 W. Sheldon St. didn’t get its name from the classic “Fat Albert” TV show, it’s got that kind of vibe — a feel-good 1970s vibe, that is, in the best way possible. Its close proximity to Prescott College makes it the perfect place for students to hang and nosh on inventive grilled cheese creations (the house specialty) with surprise ingredients like chutney, Tabasco, and gouda. Whether the PC student population is cause or effect of the laid-back atmosphere is uncertain, but every time I’m there, I feel like I’m at The Hub in “That ’70s Show.” The décor is simple and unpretentious. Functionality over frills for certain. Though the menu is limited to grilled cheese concoctions, the concept is good, and they have soups, salads, and yummy baked goods to fill in the gaps. The Good Good opened in August, and I’d say owner Matt Pyatt has accomplished his goal of making the restaurant a community gathering place, and not just for students. Movie nights, poetry slams, and live music have all found a home at The Good Good.

Some of the bands featured (both touring and local) will surprise you.

They’re also staying up later than most restaurants ―until 10 p.m. most nights and 2 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays — making it the perfect place for a midnight snack.

Check their Facebook page for event info, and go have a good, good time down at The Good Good.

Holiday festivities continue this month. Prescott’s annual Christmas parade is 1 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7 with the Courthouse Christmas Tree Lighting following at 6 p.m. Acker Showcase Night is Friday, Dec. 13 in Prescott with more than 100 musicians performing at downtown businesses.

This most-celebrated event seems to draw larger crowds every year, so come early and plan to stay late.

Being Arizona’s Christmas City and all, there’s a lot of focus on Christmas in Prescott, of course.

But personally, I’m a big Winter Solstice fan and find the celebration of light and life on the shortest day of the year rejuvenating. From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 21, The Smoki Museum is hosting four Native American artists who are sharing traditional stories on this sacred day — stories that have been passed down over the ages. Cool. If that’s not enough incentive, cider and cookies will be served.

Also on Dec. 21, right next door at the Grace M. Sparkes Activity Center on Gurley Street, is the Last-Minute Non-Profit Stocking-Stuffer Bazaar featuring more than 50 nonprofits selling “low-cost, high- quality” wares to raise money for their organizations.

Spend a little do-re-mi and put your money where your mouth is, or hopefully where your heart is, in the spirit of helping others. And get some unique gifts in the process.

Santa will be onsite with gifts for kiddos accompanied by an adult.

We may not have Times Square and a ball drop, but we do have the Whiskey Row Boot Drop on New Year’s Eve. Ring in the forthcoming year as a giant neon cowboy boot descends the flagpole at The Palace. If you can’t keep it rolling until midnight, there’s an early drop at 10 p.m. It’s a fairly festive event, complete with live entertainment and a DJ, and, of course, a fireworks show at midnight. If downtown isn’t your scene, Prescott Resort also has an annual New Year’s Eve fireworks show at midnight visible from several city locales. Raise a glass to “Auld Lang Syne” and kiss 2013 goodbye.

Looking for something to do on New Year’s Eve? There’s always the annual Whiskey Row Boot Drop in Prescott. Courtesy image.

December diversions

***** A native of the Windy City, Ruby Jackson is a freelance writer and collector of Norfin Trolls. In her spare time she is an aspiring actress (drama queen) and millionairess (donations gladly accepted). Contact her at RubyBJackson@Gmail.Com.

Granite Mountain Outtitters

320 W. Gurley | Prescott 928-776-4949

�ENSESMAG.COM • DECEMBER ���� • COLUMN • �

TOP: “Postcard From Highland Pines,” a photo-based image

by Carolyn Dunn. Dunn won the “Best of Show” award in Textiles & Textures Artisans Studio’s “Prescott on Camera” show. Courtesy image.

BOTTOM: “In the Pines,” a photo-based image by Carolyn Dunn. This image is on display at Textiles & Textures Artisans Studio as part of “Prescott on Camera” though Dec. 24.

Courtesy image.

�

Shutter to think

DUNN: The area was kind of remote.

I drew a map of the Highland Pines and Dearing Park area, and I was afraid I’d have trouble finding something to photograph. But I made a list of things to look for, and I did see a lot of mailboxes. Actually, my husband and I were driving around and we stopped so I could photograph a group of them, first thing.

The Prescott Jazz Summit & The Club at Prescott Lakes Proudly Present

The Second Annual New Year’s Eve

Gala Dinner Dance Tu e s d a y, D e c e m b e r 3 1 , 2 0 1 3

6:30: Cocktails (Cash Bar) 7:30: Five-Course Gourmet Dinner 8:00 till just after midnight: Dancing & Frivolity with the Mike Vax Orchestra and Special Guest Sherry Roberson Midnight – Champagne Toast The Club at Prescott Lakes

•

311 East Smoke Tree Lane, Prescott

Price: $190 per couple (includes tax and tip) $95.00 individual (includes tax and tip) Information and ticket ordering:

www.prescottjazz.com Information by phone: 928.830.2462

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.

4 Prescott’s 4th Friday

4FRIDAY

ART WALKS

’S

BLOOD: Tell us about the area you drew and what you found there.

***** Carolyn Dunn is a Prescott-based photographic artist. Her work has shown locally at numerous galleries — most recently Prescott Center for the Arts, ’Tis Art Center & Gallery, and Textiles & Textures Artisans Studio. See more of her art at CreativeImages.Ws or contact her at CDunn@CreativeImages.Ws.

COT T

[Editor’s note: What follows are excerpts from a conversation between the reporter and Carolyn Dunn about her “Best of Show” photography in Textiles & Textures Artisans Studio’s inaugural “ Prescott on Camera” show. Per the parameters of the show, Dunn drew an area to photograph within a 48-hour window.

Two of Dunn’s images are on the opposite page. The show runs through Tuesday, Dec. 24.]

didn’t like to photograph animals and she ended up with the zoo — isn’t that hilarious? I wanted to shoot buildings but there weren’t that many buildings I could photograph because they were surrounded by trees. It’s good to challenge yourself.

I think it helped all of us stretch and try something different. I don’t think you can improve without a little bit of risk.

all the ornate handwriting from the It’s curvy up there so, after we drove 1900s, when penmanship was so around a bit, we stopped for me to important — and calligraphy, and I take photos of more mailboxes. But wanted to create some texture and we stood there and laughed — it was some interest in the actually the ones I’d photographs. ... I drop photographed just a everything into Phoshort time before that. toshop and sometimes … I usually like to do I maybe start with a architecture — winbackground, or maybe dows, doors, and old calligraphy, and then barns — so this was I piece everything a challenge. I did see together. Sometimes some windmills and, what I start with is of course, the pines, nothing like what it and several farming ends up as. … It’s just implements, but the most interesting thing Carolyn Dunn. kind of evolved from I like being able was the mailboxes.

Courtesy photo. there. to create texture and a BLOOD: So how did little intrigue. you decide on putting together photomontages?

BLOOD: What did you think of the idea behind the show?

DUNN: I’ve been exploring that DUNN: I think it was a very good technique really heavily for about project because it challenged all of the last three or four months. I was us. At the opening reception, one intrigued by old postcards — not so of the women in the group said she much the front, but the back, with

PRE S

By Robert Blood

EVERY

TH

2013 January 26 February 22 March 22 April 26 Beginning at 5 PM May 24 June 28 July 26 August 23 September 27 October 25 November 22 December 27

See Special Events

www.ArtThe4th.com

�ENSESMAG.COM • DECEMBER ���� • FEATURE • �

Left Brain: December’s mind-full events Wildlights & Animal Sights • 6 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays: Holiday light display at the zoo.

(Heritage Park Zoological Sanctuary, 1403 Heritage Park Road, 928-778-4242, $3-$5) IMAGE: The Heritage Park Zoological Sanctuary’s praying mantis sculpture displays some holiday bling. Courtesy photo.

Events

3

“Nullifications: The Right Remedy” • 6:30 p.m. Tuesday: An exposé about the ramifications of legislation as it relates to the U.S. Constitution, civil liberties, corporations, and public oversight. Via Open Awareness Films. (Prescott Public Library, 215 E. Goodwin St., 928-530-8598)

5

Prescott Audubon Society • 6 p.m. Thursday: Annual potluck and award ceremony with Master of Ceremony Dr. Carl Tomoff and Host Russ Chappell. (Trinity Presbyterian Church, 630 Park Ave., 928-778-6502)

6

Bird & Dine • 10 a.m. Friday: Monthly Birding, dining, and conversation event. Via Prescott Audubon Society. (Stricklin Park, 1751 Sherwood Drive, 928778-6502)

7

“Frontier Christmas” • 6 p.m. Saturday: Discover how frontier families celebrated the holidays all the way back to the first Christmas celebration in Prescott in 1864. (Phippen Museum, 4701 Arizona 89, 928-778-1385, $5-$7)

8

“Survivors of the Firestorm” • 1:30 p.m. Sunday: Follow the aftermath of a dramatic, landscapechanging wildfire in the Australian highlands. (Highlands Center for Natural History, 1375 S. Walker Road, 928-776-9550, RSVP)

Walker Road, 928-776-9550, RSVP)

14

Mystery writers panel • 2 p.m. Saturday: Authors Scott Mies, Al Lodwick, and Susan Lanning discuss criminal ideas and suspense. (Peregrine Book Co., 219A N. Cortez St., 928-445-9000)

“The Unshorn Thread” • 4 p.m. Thursday: Author Colin P. Druce-McFadden reads from his steampunk novel “The Unshorn Thread.” (Peregrine Book Co., 219A N. Cortez St., 928-445-9000)

11 Multi-day 13

Prescott Area Boardgamers • 5 p.m. Wednesday: Play serious, fun, and seriously fun board games.

(Prescott Public Library, Founders Suite, 928-777-1500)

Walk ’n’ roll • 10 a.m. Friday: Nature walk for people whose mobility depends on walkers, wheelchairs, canes, etc. (Highlands Center for Natural History, 1375 S.

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15 19

Prescott Orchid Society • 1 p.m. Sunday: Monthly meeting.

(Prescott Public Library, Founders Suite, 928-777-1500)

Conservation Biology Symposium • 8 a.m. Nov. 9 & 11: Presenters

from Dr. Tom Fleischner’s fall 2013 Conservation Biology class discuss biodiversity hotspots, threats, and solutions. (Prescott College Natural History Institute, 312 Grove Ave., 928-350-2280) Bird walks • 8 a.m. Dec. 7 and 20, 2 p.m. Dec. 12: Bird walks at Fain Park, Watson Woods, and Chino Valley. (Jay’s Bird Barn, temporarily in No. 113, 1046 Willow Creek Road, 928-443-5900, RSVP) Drop in chess • 2 p.m. Saturdays: Play chess, all ages and skill levels welcome.

(Prescott Public Library, 215 E. Goodwin St., 928-777-1500) Prescott Public Library vieweries • Through Dec. 31: Christmas card artists, West Yavapai Guidance Clinic, and Professional Writers of Prescott. (Prescott Public Library, 215 E. Goodwin St., 928-777-1500)

December’s art-full events :niarB thgiR Poetry discussion group • 1 p.m. Wednesday, Dr. Janet Preston’s monthly poetry discussion group. (Prescott Public Library, Elsea Conference Room, 215 E. Goodwin St., 928-777-1500)

“The Christmas Tree” • 6:30 p.m. Dec. 4, 5, 11, and 12: Family-style tapas and holiday fare with a one-act comedy that puts more merry in Merry Christmas. Directed by Linda Miller. Benefits Park Avenue Theatre at Trinity Presbyterian Church. (El Gato Azul, 316 W. Goodwin, 928-445-1070, $30)

4 5

Poets Cooperative 6:30 p.m. Thursday: Share your poetry at this monthly meeting.

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

12 18

Creative Writers Group •Noon Thursday: Creative writing and discussion group. (Prescott Public Library, Elsea Conference Room, 215 E. Goodwin St., 928-777-1500) Open mic poetry • 5:30 p.m. Wednesday: Dan Seaman emcees monthly open mic poetry. (Peregrine Book Co., 219A N. Cortez St., 928-445-9000)

Professional Writers of Prescott • 5:30 p.m. Wednesday: Monthly meeting. (Prescott Public Library, Founders Suite, 215 E. Goodwin St., 928-777-1500)

21

“Storytellers at Smoki” • 10 a.m. Saturday: Native American storytellers Marvin Redeye (Onandaga), Mary Calabaza (Santo Domingo), Gary Keene (Acoma Pueblo), and Loren Ququmu (Hopi) talk about their art and culture on the Winter Solstice. (Smoki Museum, 147 N. Arizona Ave., 928-445-1230, $6-$7)

27

4th Friday Art Walk • 5 p.m. Friday, monthly art walk including more than 18 galleries, artist receptions, openings, and demonstrations. (ArtThe4th.Com)

Multi-day Writers workshop 9:30 a.m. Saturdays: Weekly critique group. (Prescott Public Library, Bump Conference Room, 215 E. Goodwin St., 928-777-1500)

“Shtick” • 7 p.m. Dec. 5-7: A woman struggles with her husband’s stroke and knowledge of his affair with her sister. By Henry Meyerson, directed

by Mary Timpany. (Stage Too, North Cortez Street alley between Willis and Sheldon streets, 928-445-3286, $5) “A Person Known to Me” & “Gandhi at the Bat” • 6 p.m. Dec. 6: Directors Stephanie Argy and Alec Boehm screen two short period films and a movie trailer. (Peregrine Book Co., 219A N. Cortez St., 928-445-9000) “The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe” • 7 p.m. Dec. 19-21, 2 p.m. Dec. 21 & 22: Four children inadvertently wander from an old wardrobe into the land of Narnia. By Joseph Robinette, dramatized from the story by C. S. Lewis, directed by Parker Anderson.

(Prescott Center for the Arts, 208 N. Marina St., 928-445-3286, $10) “Mirrors” • From Dec. 1: Holiday art fundraiser show benefitting the Yarnell Hill Recovery Group and Animal Disaster Services. (Arts Prescott Gallery, 134 S. Montezuma St., 928-776-7717)

Art “The Art of Natural History” • Through Dec. 14: Selections from the Josephine Michell Arader Natural History Print Collection.

(Prescott College Art Gallery at Sam Hill Warehouse, 232 N. Granite St., 928-350-2341)

“A Festival of Colors” • Through Dec. 21: A colorful art show. (Mountain Artists Guild & Gallery, 228 Alarcon St., 928-445-2510)

Theater & film

IMAGE: “Segmented Wood Turned Pot.” Best of Show award-winning piece by James Hancock. Courtesy image, manipulated.

Events

Yavapai College Student Art • Through Dec. 14: Biannual juried exhibit of work by Yavapai College art students. (Yavapai College Art Gallery, 1100 E. Sheldon St., 928-776-2000) Holiday gift show • Through Dec. 20: Handmade gifts for sale. (Prescott Center for the Arts, 208 N. Marina St., 928-445-3286) Miniature show • Through Dec. 21: Miniature art show. (Mountain Artists Guild & Gallery, 228 Alarcon St., 928-445-2510) “Curious Paper” • Through Dec. 23: Annual paper show with redefining paper, collage, book structures, fibers, and papermâché. (’Tis Art Center & Gallery, 105 S. Cortez St., 928-775-0223) “Prescott on Camera” • Through Dec. 24: Art and photographs from 13 artists taken within 48 hours of each other in Prescott.

(Textiles & Textures Artisans Studio, 217 N. Cortez St., 928-227-2659)

“Eco-Friendly Adornment” • Through Dec. 31: New deconstructed and up-cycled pieces by Mary Kaye O’Neill, Carol Hunter-Geboy, and Linda Scott. (’Tis Art Center & Gallery, 105 S. Cortez St., 928-775-0223) “Paper, Pen, & Brush” • Through Dec. 31: New art by painter and watercolor artist Sid Freeman, paper artist Annie Alexander, and printmaker Maria Lynam.

(A Small Art Gallery, 115 E. Goodwin St., Suite D, 928-832-3220) Graves • Through Jan. 1: New and archival prints by Slade Graves. (Slade Graves Studio, 234 S. Montezuma St.) Natural history prints • Through Jan. 1: Selections from the Josephine Michell Arader Natural History Print Collection.

(Prescott College Natural History Institute, 312 Grove Ave., 928-350-2280) Tom Alward • Through Jan. 1: New ceramic pieces.

(Van Gogh’s Ear Gallery, 156 S. Montezuma St., 928-776-1080, $5-$7)

�

Mike’s Musical Musings

Music vs. art vs. science

By Mike Vax

when talking about the

Our esteemed publisher

good things studying mu-

and I were chatting about

sic and the arts can do for

my previous column —

young people — and it got

about having scientific

me thinking.

studies and facts to back

There are many similarities in art and science, but there are also things that don’t readily crossover between

up assumptions I made

�� • COLUMN • DECEMBER ���� • �ENSESMAG.COM

the two. For starters, art doesn’t have to be based on fact.

I remember being a Trekie when “Star Trek” first came out and marveling at all the gadgets and stuff they used. One interesting thing about science fiction is when some of the pretend circumstances and gear actually comes into existence. In those cases, science took its cue from art.

On the other hand, there’s painting — especially modern forms — in which there’s a speculative, highly personal treatment of reality. Sometimes the work has almost nothing to do with any reality except that in the artist’s mind. It’s up to the spectator to take away their own interpretation. To me, this about as far away from science as you can get.

But, this column is mainly about music, so let’s look at music’s attributes.

If

you consider studying or performing music, you’ll find that it entails things like math, language, written symbols, and structure. It also includes communication on other levels — like the emotional involvement for the performer and the audience, physical exertion, teamwork, and mental concentration.

In fact, performing music is highly comparable to involvement in sports.

Perhaps that’s why music is such an all-encompassing endeavor. It has components of so many things we do as human beings. As someone who’s performed music in about as many different situations as you can imagine, I’m always thrilled by all the different circumstances that I’m called to perform in. Whether I’m playing classical music, jazz, rock, Latin, big band swing, or even at a “dumb society gig” (That’s what some musicians call everyday jobs that help put food on the table), the challenge is always the same: To perform at a high level and take the music that’s being performed as seriously as possible. That means playing in the right style, playing with complete concentration, and always remembering that the band is there to entertain the audience.

One of the defining differences in musical performances can be the creativity of the musicians and their performing organization. If you’re in a big band playing music from the 30s and 40s, your goal is to recreate the sound of that era. The same thing goes if you’re playing in a rock cover band that specializes in the

’60s or ’70s tunes.

But if you’re in a band that’s playing new music written by its members or some other composer writing in today’s atmosphere, there’s much more creativity involved. And, especially in jazz music, every individual musician is allowed time to improvise a solo.

This really is creativity at its highest level; this is music composed on the spot in the mind and heart of the performing musician. Improvisation is one of the key ingredients in jazz.

It’s also what makes it so much fun to play, which is why it’s been used by the more creative rock groups for many years.

It

may be surprising to some people, but the composition of music has some similarities to science. Specifically, it’s akin to a scientist working in a laboratory.

The composer uses guidelines from previous musicians, compositions, and situations, and then creates a space for musical discovery. Similar to the scientist, the composer experiments with ingredients and studies the results. The final composition can take weeks or months to perfect, especially with classical music.

So, back o the original premise of this column. Yes, we can obtain facts and figures to substantiate some of the claims I’ve made previously about the good that comes from teaching music in schools. The Music Educators National Conference people, for instance, have all kinds of figures to prove that studying music helps your grades, workplace performance, and overall success.

But I prefer seeing it in person.

I prefer going into the school and working with music students and hearing it from them — especially those students whom I worked with in their early years.

When one of these students comes to me as an adult and says how music has helped them succeed, it has an impact far beyond the figures and statistics that person represents.

That’s the personal connection of music. ***** Mike Vax is a Prescott-based jazz musician and educator. As his column progresses, he’d love to hear your questions, comments, and ideas for future columns. Contact him via his website, MikeVax.Net or at VaxTrpts@AOL.Com.

Brain Food

CUISINE

Thrifty gifts with a touch of taste

By Jimmy Polinori — The Culinary Composer

Let’s

face it: The American holiday shopping budget is not what it used to be. Uncertain times lead to conservative restraints at the check-out line. Several years ago, I vowed to remove the commercial element from the holiday season and inject creativity and forethought into the gifts I bestow upon my family and friends.

A reduced budget does not have to equate to tacky gifts, nor do you have to be Martha Stewart to impress for less. Each year, I plan a gift basket for every household of family and friends. About $20 per gift basket is more than enough.

Forethought is the key to thrifty gifting with taste. Plan to bake inexpensive treats for all your baskets then write down a theme for each household. For instance, if your sister’s family is movie nuts, add popcorn, movie candy and a family DVD to the basket. Spathemed baskets go over very well, too.

Your local Goodwill is an excellent place to find unique baskets for only a couple bucks and 99 Cents Stores are great for picking up fun basket stuffers like tea lights, bath time products, champagne flutes, jars for jams or candies, and more. You can also pick up great ornaments to hang from the basket handles.

Find recipes for your gift basket treats on The Culinary Composer Facebook page (Facebook.Com/TheCulinary Composert) It’s also nice to type up the recipe for the treats you give, roll it up like a scroll, and then attach it with a ribbon or hand-written note. Happy holidays!

Get recipes for holiday gift basket treats at

Facebook.Com/TheCulinaryComposer

Prescott’s finest submarines since before downtown traffic 415 W. Goodwin St., 778-3743 M-F 10:30-2:30, Weekends closed

�ENSESMAG.COM • DECEMBER ���� • COLUMN • ��

Alan Dean Foster’s Perceivings

By Alan Dean Foster I learned how to read from comic books. Back when (enlightened) parents used to buy their kids subscriptions to comic titles, you could get them delivered directly to your house via the mail.

This had the dual benefit of ensuring that junior had access to approved titles while preventing him or her from hanging out in disreputable locales like the corner drugstore.

My literary mentors were Herman Melville and Carl Barks. If queried, most folks would avow that they’d heard of Melville and that he had something to do with a whale. Barks would elicit considerably less recognition. Carl Barks, or Unca Carl as fans came to know him, created Uncle Scrooge, Duckburg, and a host of other characters, locations, and plot devices from which Disney has reaped millions. As all Disney artists labored anonymously, his work was singled out by his avid readers (including George Lucas and Steven Spielberg, among others) as being by “the good artist.”

Interesting that he was recognized first for his art and, to a lesser extent, for his writing.

A master draftsman, Barks could get more emotion into his drawings of anthropomorphized ducks than most “fine” artists could from highpriced formal portraits. This is true of all great comic artists because they are required to tell a story with their work and not simply petrify a scene. Comic art, or if one wishes to be high-falutin’, “graphic novels,” are not unlike still frames lifted from movies. Or, if you prefer, from a cinematic storyboard. The requirement that they tell a story in no way invalidates the artistic skill of those behind the pen, brush, or computer.

But is it “art”?

Comic art: An oxymoron?

Here

we again find ourselves back at the old Eye of the Beholder argument. To me, great art, regardless of the medium, consists of an image that provokes an emotional response in the viewer. If it’s Kandinsky that does it for you, then it’s art. Myself, I’d rather see Scrooge and his nephews battling the Beagle Boys than a giant canvas featuring a black dot on a white background or slashes of red, blue, and green paint à la the noted contemporary artist Gerhard Richter.

Just because drawings or paintings tell a sequential story should not automatically preclude them from consideration as art. If that were the case, we would have to begin by invalidating, or denigrating, the work of William Hogarth, arguably one of the precursors of the graphic novel.

Taken individually, his 12 paintings for “The Rake’s Progress” are considered fine art. Looked at collectively, they comprise an early comic — and a richly detailed one, at that.

(Side note for travelers: Hogarth’s “Rake’s Progress” paintings are in the remarkable and little-known Sir John Soane’s museum in London, not in the National Gallery. All the more reason to visit Soane’s place. The chair from Hogarth’s studio is there, too, along with a couple of nice Turners and much else).

Comic art can be at least semi-abstract as well, if that is the critical criterion for modern art. Have a look at any Krazy Kat collection. Want surrealism the equal of Dali or Magritte? Drown yourself in the glorious aesthetic wanderings of “Little Nemo in Slumberland” by Winsor McKay. Art as contemporary commentary? These days there’s Banksy, but no one could top the underground comic art of the ‘60s. Critical essays by the yard dissect the work of Robert Crumb (though I prefer Gilbert Shelton’s three Furry Freak bros.) and Robert Williams. Original art by both “comic” artists go for many thousands.

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On

the other hand, we have the waste of paint by such acclaimed contemporary artists as Jasper Johns and Frank Stella, which sell for millions. My favorite example in this genre is the “work” of Roy Lichtenstein, who simply appropriated the efforts of numerous comic artists and blew them up to enormous size (recall my earlier column here about the same thing happening with sculpture). So while Lichtenstein’s panels sell for zillions, the artists who originally generated the actual art — such as Irv Novick whose panel Lichtenstein copied over and scaled up for his celebrated canvas “Whaam!”—received neither credit nor royalties.

If that’s art, then give me “Blacksad” by the Spanish comic artist Juanjo Guarnido (with writer Juan Diaz Canales). Better use of watercolor would be difficult to find anywhere. Is it “art” according to the current anointers of “fine” art?

Probably not.

But I know which I’d rather hang in my house. ***** 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.

“Uncle Scrooge à la Andy Warhol.” Original painting by Carl Barks. Fair use. Illustration by 5enses.

THE JEROME WELNA MYSTERIES

By James Dungeon

His

training should’ve ruled it out. Contemporary veterinary science, too.

But, like any good detective, Jerome Welna followed the clues — even when they led to impossible conclusions.

“When I put together the case history with the test results, it all made sense,” Welna said, pausing for effect as he paced the office of his Prescott home on the cusp of November. “Then all hell broke loose.”

A decorated World War II vet who took part in D-Day, Welna has plenty of war stories — he’s even self-published a book of them — but this particular tale comes from his civilian days in the commercial poultry industry. Specifically, he was talking about the time he helped diagnose and treat a mysterious illness among turkeys on a commercial farm in southeastern Minnesota circa 1960. Probably 1962.

“I got hate mail from all over the country afterthat,” Welna continued as he relaxed his deadpan visage into a Cheshire grin. “It took 10 years for science to catch up with industry on that one.”

CONTINUED ON PAGE �� >>> MIDDLE: Jerome Welna discusses how to discern chicken health from wing feathers in a commercial chicken lair circa 1961 in Wisconsin.

Courtesy photo.

BOTTOM: Escherichia coli in Endo agar, a microbiological growth medium. Photo by LenkaM, Creative Commons 1.0.

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... FROM PAGE �� “That one” is the pathogenic categorization of Esherichia coli, better known as E. coli — or simply “coli” as Welna and his colleagues called it — which, until the 1970s, was thought of as a secondary, opportunistic bacteria.

“Back then, people didn’t think of it as a primary pathogen as we see it today,” said Dr. Rodrigo Gallardo, an assistant professor in poultry medicine at UC Davis. “They thought of it as something that infused (itself with) immunosuppressive diseases or some other disorder or management issue.”

Although many forms of E. coli are innocuous enough — odds are, you’ve got some in your intestines right now — some, such as Esherichia coli O157:H7 are harmful to humans and other animals.

Welna diagnosed and treated poultry illnesses long before the molecular biology revolution of the mid-1990s.

During his decades of work in the field, emergent science made leaps and bounds that challenged common knowledge and routinely changed the rules of the game.

The only thing Welna could really trust was one of the cornerstones of the scientific method: observation.

“And,” Welna said, “I knew what I was looking at.”

He and a colleague at the University of Minnesota helped establish E. coli as a primary poultry pathogen.

Best practice makes perfect In terms of formal education, Welna studied virology and bacteriology at California Polytechnic State University. But his real education came on the job in Iowa from Drs. Kathel Kerr and Neal Morehouse of Salsbury Laboratories.

“They were my mentors,” Welna said. “They’re probably not around anymore, but it’s important to me that you mention them.”

Salsbury was Welna’s first major employer. His job title was bureaucratically obscure, but his job duties were fairly straightforward. Welna met with commercial ranchers whose animals were sick. It was his job to assess the situation — this often involved necropsy of dead animals, ordering lab tests of tissue and blood samples, reviewing husbandry and sanitary procedures, and recommending short-term and long-term action plans.

“I’d tell the manager, ‘This is what I think we’re dealing with, and here’s what we’re going to do now,’” Welna said. “Then, in about four or five days, we’d get an answer from the lab and we’d make more changes. Generally, I nailed it down pretty well the first time.”

Back then, the lag between testing and test results was too long to shut down commercial egg or broiler operations before a definitive diagnosis.

“Then, and even today, you try to isolate the population before you really know what the problem is,” said Ron

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Kean, a poultry production and management specialist with the University of Wisconsin-Madison Extension program. “With industry-level production, the potential impact of disease is huge.”

Welna was also a salesman. Part of his job for Salsbury and other companies — including Schering-Plough Corporation — was to sell vaccines.

“It was more than that, though,” Welna said. “There were suggestions for vaccines, but there were also suggestions for changes in management procedures, and a rigorous prevention program.”

It was an approach that integrated cutting-edge science and legacy husbandry practices — one Welna eventually leveraged into a Salsbury education program.

Fowl afoul Since the 1990s, infectious agents have been largely classified by molecular biology — that is, a detailed clinical description of individual bacteria, viruses, parasites, etc. Welna retired as this approach gained favor.

During the late 1970s and ’80s, infectious agents were largely classified by serology — that is, by the anti-bodies in the plasma or other bodily fluids that was used to combat them. Welna was in the latter part of his career when this approach was in vogue.

But, during the 1950s and 1960s, infectious agents were simply classified by the diseases they caused and

the symptoms they provoked.

“It was more based on simple observation then,” Gallardo said. “We’re talking about science long before gene sequencing.”

Welna recalled several diseases that changed names during the course of his career, which took him across the country. In some instances, re-categorization struck him as a matter of semantics.

“There was one disease that gave us a lot of trouble — I can’t remember what we called it at the time — but we could identify it,” Welna said. “We didn’t know the causative agent, but we could treat it.”

And, despite the march of science, that’s sometimes the case today.

“There are still some diseases that we call syndromes, and we still don’t really know what causes them,” Kean said. “The big difference with treatment now is that you can spray vaccinations and fog birds, which is much faster and easier than handling individual chickens or chicks.”

Welna worked with diseases that, because of proprietary science, he was able to treat with nascent techniques.

“I was taking research and using it in the field,” he said, adding that feeddistributed treatments were a particularly useful step forward.

During some cases, though, the solution to a seemingly complex problem boiled down to a simple sanitization procedure.

“Sometimes it was political,” Welna

CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT, OPPOSITE: Infectious laryngotracheitis histopath: The submucosa of this chicken’s trachea is thickened by a dense cellular infiltrate, image by Brian Casearto via Veterinary Pathology Forum, fair use; Jerome Welna (second from left) poses with coworkers from Schering-Plough Corp. at an event circa 1978, courtesy photo.; Jerome Welna (left) talks about poultry on a weekly radio show circa 1960 in Madison, Wisconsin, courtesy photo.; Jerome Welna poses at his desk in November 2013 in Prescott, photo by 5enses.

said, alluding to one such case. “I had to notify the state veterinarian of California, whom I knew on a first-name basis, in order to pressure one company to change its handling procedures.”

Rearview observations During multiple interviews, Welna discussed a bountiful bestiary of poultry pathogens and diseases: E. coli, erysipelas, infectious laryngotracheitis (aka Gallid herpesvirus 1), coccidiosis, and erysipelas, among many others that didn’t survive transcription.

Welna could — and did — speak at length about them in meticulous detail.

In its current state, though, the commercial poultry industry doesn’t have to worry about many diseases.

“Because of genetically improved breeds, commercial birds hardly ever get sick … and when they do, the mortality rate is very low,” said Dr. Jarra Jagne, a poultry extension veterinarian with Cornell University who used to work for a company that specialized in high-tech genetic engineering.

“Most of the calls I get are from people with heritage breeds that haven’t been vaccinated — not commercial poultry.”

Gallardo and Kean expressed similar sentiments.

The current antibiotic and vaccination debate isn’t something that Welna, now 90-years-old, takes lightly or attempts to skirt.

“I think there’s a lot of misinformation about it because of how people

get their information,” Welna said. “If you saw what these vaccines can do, or the diseases they’re preventing, you’d know better.”

Reacting to first-hand experience has been Welna’s way of life. It’s also how he ended up in Prescott.

“There was never much poultry work in Arizona, but there were hog operations,” Welna said. “I’d been through Prescott during my travels … bought land, and decided to build a house and retire here.”

His house was built in the early 1990s, he retired to Prescott, left as a consultant, then returned again.

Welna sired four children, has eight grandchildren, and, as a widower, met his second wife, Kathy, in Prescott.

“I’ve travelled all across the country,” Welna said. “And when I saw Prescott, I knew it was going to be home.” ***** Jerome Welna is a Prescott resident and author of “A Destroyer Sailor’s War,” a nonfiction book that includes his account of the D-Day Normandy invasion. Find it online at Amazon.

Com or write Welna at P.O. Box 4159; Prescott, AZ 86302.

James Dungeon is a figment of his own imagination. And he likes cats.

Contact him at JamesDungeonCats@ Gmail.Com.

15

Highlands Center for Natural History’s Outdoor Outings

Oh, deer!

By Jill Craig

In

every outdoor educator’s cache is a game called “Oh,

Deer!”

To play, one third of the students play deer, each looking for a specific habitat need such as food, shelter, or water. The remaining students play those habitat needs. During each round the deer seek out a partner from the other side that matches the resource they require. As the game unfolds, it becomes clear that resources are limited and survival is not a given. The only deer to survive for another round are those that find a resource match. This game is a great way to illustrate “carrying capacity” — how many individuals the ecosystem can support — and “limiting factors —hunting, predator-prey relationships, disease, and seasonal weather changes —that are everyday challenges for wildlife.

While the game is educational and

fun, it has real implications. Fall and winter are the toughest times of the year for mammals, including deer.

There

are two species of deer in Arizona: Coues White-tailed Deer and Mule Deer.

Coues deer, a subspecies of White-Tailed Deer, have a range from southeastern Arizona up to the Mogollon Rim. Coues are small — 65 pounds, on average — and can be identified by their broad tail and salt-and-pepper coat.

Mule Deer have a broader habitat range, and are slightly bigger than Coues deer. Mule Deer can be identified by their large ears — much like those of a mule — and their short, skinny black-tipped white tails and white rump spot.

Those deer you’re spotting as they skitter across the road this time of year are likely Mule Deer. They are, no doubt, in search of increasingly

scarce food sources.

Look closely at a group of mule deer; chances are they’re mostly female. Female deer tend to travel in larger groups during the winter as they find food in open meadows and browse together. Older female deer stay close to their homes, but males travel farther to establish their own turf and find females to mate with during winter.

Mule Deer survival is dependent upon the availability of their food source, shelter and water. Specifically, they depend on Oak, Mountain Mahogany, Cliff Rose, and other woody native plants during the winter. Population strength is also contingent upon the survival of young fawns. Given Arizona’s dry climate, finding these resources in sufficient quantities can often prove challenging for the species as a whole.

A fawn’s best chance for survival comes with mild, wet winters, when vegetation and water are abundant.

There’s

a group of Mule Deer that I routinely spot browsing on my daily walks. The group has two adult females and several young fawns.

Every day I see them, I wonder, “What will this winter bring for their young?”

On the heels of a lush, wet monsoon, will they be lucky enough to weather a mild winter that provides plenty of nutrient-rich vegetation?

And, in this real-life game of “Oh, Deer!” which fawns will make it onto the next round? ***** Jill Craig is education director at the Highlands Center for Natural History. She oversees all educational programming for the center and facilitates the Highlands Naturalist Volunteer Program. In her spare time, Jill can be found hiking in the Bradshaw Mountains with her two dogs and husband.

Skyward

By Ty Fitzmorris

Night skies Dec. 3: New moon at 5:22 p.m.

Dec. 13: The Geminid Meteor Shower is at its peak after midnight.

This shower is one of the brightest, most plentiful meteor showers of the year. The late second-quarter moon will be bright and wash out some of the dimmer meteors, but the shower should still be very good.

Dec. 17: Full moon at 2:28 a.m.

Notice that this moon is directly overhead at midnight — much higher in the sky than the sun was at noon.

The underlying reasons for this are somewhat complex — at the Winter

Solstice, our position on the Earth is leaning its furthest away from the sun, so the sun will be at its lowest in the sky at noon. But when we rotate around to midnight (and face directly away from the sun) the moon is high in the sky, because our position on Earth is more directly aimed at it. By contrast. at noon today in San Rafael, Argentina (which is exactly as far south of the equator as we are north of it), the sun will be at its highest of the year, and the full moon 12 hours later will be at its lowest.

Dec. 21: Winter Solstice at 10:11 a.m.

The Earth is at one of its two yearly extremes with regard to the angle which the poles face the sun. The Northern Hemisphere is tilted at its maximum away from the sun, which we experience as the shortest day and longest night of the year. In the

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Southern Hemisphere the opposite is true. Every day after this, until June 21, 2014, days will get slightly longer as nights get slightly shorter.

The long night provides a good time to view the Ursid Meteor Shower, a minor shower, as it peaks after midnight.

Highlight: Comet ISON, which could turn out to be a large comet, continues to elude easy prediction for astronomers. After this “sungrazer” rounds the sun on Nov. 28, it might become brighter until it passes the Earth on Dec. 26, when it could grow as bright as the moon. However, odds are somewhat even that ISON will break up and fall into the sun during its close encounter, in which case we would see no more of it. Astronomers around the world are hoping that the former will turn out to be true — that we bear witness

to what could be our newest Great Comet with a long tail that might be visible by daylight. If this turns out to be the case, look for ISON just above the setting sun as its tail and brightness change day by day.

Weather Average high temp: 51.6 F, +/-4.3 Average low temp: 22 F, +/-3.5 Record high temp: 78 F, Dec. 2, 1926 Record low temp: -9 F, Dec. 24, 1924 Average precipitation: 1.67”, +/-1.65” Record high December precipitation: 6.96”, 1965 Record low December precipitation: 0”, 9.8 percent of all years on record Max December daily precipitation: 3.13”, Dec. 30, 1951 Source: Western Regional Climate Center

News From the Wilds

By Ty Fitzmorris

The

coldest time has come round again, and the wilds have entered the depth of their quiescence. But though the nights are at their longest now — the year’s longest is Dec. 21, the Winter Solstice — the coldest, toughest parts of the winter are still to come. December is slightly warmer and bears less rain and snow than January, when the days will be growing longer again.

This lag between the darkest and the coldest times is a result of air masses in the atmosphere that hold their temperature long after incoming solar radiation has declined. That’s why the warmest parts of the summer typically are after the Summer Solstice and that the coldest parts of the winter are after the Winter Solstice.

As a result of low temperatures and lack of sunlight, plants and insects now enter the height of their winter diapause, when almost no activity is to be found. These groups are the food sources for almost all of our species, so their somnolence causes extreme hardship for birds and mammals — the two groups that remain most active. Only the resourceful and innovative can find food during this time, and creatures often prove desperate.

Predators, such as Cooper’s Hawks, Sharpshinned Hawks, Coyotes and Bobcats, become more daring in their attempts to catch small birds and rodents, and, as a result, prey species become more adept at avoiding predators. Many birds band together in mixed-species foraging flocks while rodents idle in near-hibernation in their dens near their months-old storehouses of food.

Larger herbivores, such as Mule Deer and Pronghorn, live off of stored body fat for several months and stay on the move to avoid predators. For all species, this season is the time of highest mortality.

But even in these darkest times, the astute observer can find glimmerings of spring. In the lowlands and deserts, a few insects and their relatives appear on sunny days: Harvester ants maintain their colonies and gather seeds, Mourning Cloak butterflies fly in river bottoms, and wolf spiders hunt for other small arthropods. Deciduous trees, though now leafless, begin swelling at their leaf buds, growing what will become spring flowers and leaves. Female River Otters are nearing the end of their pregnancies and moving toward their dens while Black Bear wait in their hibernacula, also about to give birth.

Much as the leafless trees allow more light to fall to the forest floor, the darkness of winter contains the seeds of spring. ***** Ty Fitzmorris is an itinerant and often distractible naturalist who lives in Prescott and runs Peregrine Book Company and Raven Café as a sideline to his natural history pursuits. Contact him at Ty@Peregrine BookCompany.Com with questions or comments.

Pairs of River Otters, such as these in Oak Creek, stay close together as the pregnant female nears her time to give birth. Photo by Ty Fitzmorris.

A brief survey of what’s happening in the wilds ...

High mountains • Pine Siskins, Red Crossbills, and Cassin’s Finches may appear from the north during especially cold years and often find and flock with House Finches and Lesser Goldfinches. This behavior helps migratory species learn the distribution of food in unfamiliar places.

Visit: Mavrick Mountain Trail, No. 65.

Ponderosa Pine forests • Dark-eyed Juncos arrive in force from colder lands to the north and join with Bridled Titmouse, Mountain Chickadee, Brown Creeper, and several species of nuthatches to form mixed-species flocks. These species stay together for months, and apparently gain protection from having many eyes of different types looking for predators. They avoid competing with each other by dividing up the microhabitats of trees — look for Juncos foraging on the ground, Chickadees in the tips of branches, nuthatches foraging in a downward spiral around trunks, and Brown Creepers foraging in an upward spiral.

Visit: Miller Creek Trail, No. 367.

Pine-Oak woodlands • Bushtits are very active when the weather is calm. These tiny, mouselike birds are distinctive in that they forage in large flocks, but the birds trickle from one tree to the next in a slow, continuous stream, chiming

continuously with beautiful calls. Once they have landed, these birds search each tree assiduously, gleaning many thousands of insect larvae, thereby keeping many insect species under control.

• Several species of harmless spiders move into human dwellings, the most obvious of which is the Giant Crab Spider (Olios giganteus), which can often be seen running on walls and ceilings.

Like almost all spiders, they produce venom, but they aren’t the slightest bit poisonous to humans and can be relocated outdoors by carefully trapping them under a cup so they aren’t injured.

Visit: Little Granite Mountain Trail, No. 37.

Pinyon-Juniper woodlands • Raccoons spend long periods — up to three weeks at a time — in their dens.

Dens are typically in trees, though, at higher elevations, Raccoons may excavate burrows. Dens can sometimes be found because of nearby latrines and large scat deposits. This year’s young stay in the den with their mother for their first winter.

Visit: Tin Trough Trail, No. 308.

Grasslands • Gunnison’s Prairie Dogs (Cynomys gunnisoni) begin their winter hibernation deep in underground tunnels and will emerge in March or April. This is the smallest species of prairie dog in North America and the only one in the Central Highlands. It’s also one of the most important species in maintaining

the grasslands’ health. Their burrows oxygenate and nitrogenate soils which fertilize grasses and forbs. Prairie dogs are also important sources of food for other species such as hawks, snakes, and Black-footed Ferrets. As a “keystone species,” they are one of the species that form the basis of their ecosystem.

Visit: Mint Wash Trail, No. 345.

Riparian areas • Waterfowl of many different species, including Pintail, Ruddy Duck, American Widgeon, Gadwall, Greenwinged Teal, Shoveler, Canvasback, and Bufflehead, have arrived at our lakes by the thousands, and are easily observed as they feed from now until early spring. Notice that some species dive while others “dabble,” or upend. Divers tend to feed in deeper areas while the dabblers stay closer to shore. The importance of Willow and Watson lakes to North American waterfowl is part of the reason they’ve been designated Important Bird Areas, thus affording them some protection.

Visit: Willow Lake Loop Trail, from the Willow Creek Road entrance.

Deserts/Chaparral • A few final flowers persist, including Desert Marigold (Baileya multiradiata) and Cliffrose (Cowania mexicana).

• Kit Foxes, the smallest and most furtive of our foxes, begin mating.

Visit: Agua Fria National Monument.

5ENSESMAG.COM • DECEMBER 2013 • FEATURE • 17

How products get in the way of An open letter for

knowing each other all seasons

By Jacques Laliberté

What

is your true nature? Your essence? If this sounds a bit metaphysical, allow that you probably have a fine sense of your inner self and elemental drives, all centered in your intuitive core. We move into the world as social creatures and create our relationships.

We seek to be known and to know others, and express parts of ourselves as we do this.

Starting with our native language and family traditions, we explore our surroundings. Perhaps as children we learn to play an instrument or join a sports team as means to deepen our communication at the personal and group levels. As we study further in the sciences, philosophies, and humanities we gain knowledge that we use to share our own developing ideas, beliefs, and passions.

With each new concept encountered, we are creating an expanded sense of our selves. As with ideas, so too with material things. We gather belongings that reaffirm and reflect our sense of person.

5ens

es

Would you describe yourself as conservative and dress accordingly? Are the Rolling Stones so important to you that you wear their tour T-shirt when you go out for coffee? Do you care whether you are a Mac or PC kind of person?

Sellers of products have become increasingly adept, sophisticated, and subtle, when demonstrating the need (and arousing the desire) for goods.

Knowing we often do not think for our selves, that our values are “borrowed” from others around us, they take aim at our self-image and self-esteem.

To quote Red Walk in “From Self Observation”: “The human body is mammal … we are herd Conditions and conditioners exposed animals. This is a very powerful force in the With what I wear and drive, listen to and eat, I body, impossible to ignore. To think for myself believe I am revealing something of my self to you … risks being expelled from the herd, a death— my tastes, attitude, affiliations. Whether it’s sentence for a mammal.”

PUMA or Chevrolet, Metallica or McDonald’s, it’s Peer pressure is brutal. We’ve all been victim identifiers are shorthand clues — these products to it. Wearing brands dubbed “lame.” A hairstyle stand in proxy for you. that’s out of fashion. Liking raunchy music. The You intend for them to add elements of identifisocial repercussions to violating these unspoken cation to your persona so others may “get a line” codes are cruel, the condemnation definitive. on you and your interests and beliefs, your income If we follow this “herd instinct,” hard-wired and class, as well as a host of other attributes. in our bodies to ensure our survival — without recognizing that this impulse is no longer a necessity — then we become “prey” to Full Service Certifications & Renewals the manipulations of those preying upon this mindset.

If we have already convinced ourselves — often through a childPrescott - Prescott Valley hood of conditioning — Cottonwood - Flagstaff Pay Why y a of our flaws, lacks and hyorPe? WM ? inadequacies, then the e Mor marketer’s rationale is Must present coupon at clinic appt. one coupon per patient compelling. no cash value. recent med records required. expires 2-28-2014 Whether we’re trying to fit in or assuage our

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feelings of imperfection, we seek the products we believe are designed to bolster these (perceived) conditions.

And our culture’s consensus agrees with us: “Yes! That is a cool new sports car — what’d it cost ya?” and “Wow! That dress makes you look so sexy!”

Shifting focus The solution here is not to go naked — No! — nor to stop driving to work. Buy the things you can afford. But things of quality that make you comfortable; buy the tools you need for daily work; buy books that enlighten and entertain you; buy foods that nourish your wellbeing.

As we seek to be known and know others, however, we need to look behind the “stuff” between us, disregard the embedded brand messages, and observe the authentic person who resides there.

Is your relationship with your car, smart phone, or wardrobe any easier or more advantageous than the ones you have with other people?

As an “either/or” proposition, this does indeed sound absurd. But consider how aware you are of people’s “stuff” — their dress and accoutrements — while missing the being within. Outward clues are easy to spot and calibrate. They’re straightforward modifiers of the individual, but they’re only a small part of them. Only through talking and sharing time with them can you begin to really connect. We can begin to initiate this connection by talking about — interestingly enough — our “stuff”: “I see you like the Cardinals. Great game this week, eh?” and “I’m thinking about buying the same stroller you have. How is it working out for you?”

We begin to “see” a person and delve into a relationship with them by way of their stuff. And we shift focus. Now we listen to their stories, discover their passions, embrace their quirks and innate goodness. Get excited about their hot new car, go out for burgers, talk about your first drives.

Or shop for new designer outfits together and then grab dinner and an opera looking appropriately elegant for the occasion.

The opening has been made, and now a deeper connection and relationship is possible.

Relationships, connections From ordering our morning latte from our barista to greeting a fellow dog walker at the park, we’re constantly connecting with people. We’re engaged in myriad relationships every day.

These everyday encounters are incidental and often spontaneous — ripe for surprising outcomes and new friendships. They’re the social foundation of society.

In deeper relations like those between significant others, families, and spouses, we commit more time to knowing each other. We get to learn

and appreciate their inner and fundamental essences, and, in doing so, real love slowly emerges.

We see how each other’s “stuff” serves us, how we buy, use, maintain and discard our property.

We decide together to travel to the islands for holiday, invest in remodeling the bathroom, or planting a vegetable garden, to lease a larger — or smaller — vehicle, and what type of school to send the kids to. These are strategic, sound discussions concerning the best use of the products we bring into our lives. They’re a means of exploring con-

nections within our relations.

So, your barista’s outfit may be attractive, but it’s her smile that makes your day, just as your smile toward your bank teller can make his day. ***** A 20-year resident of Prescott, Jacques Laliberté has written for and designed several publications, as well as his own Art-rag. See his fine art work at Society6.Com/DaZzlDolls.

Lessons learned: A pair of art missives The price of art

By Debra Jan Owen artist enters the studio with intent.

An Ideas stewed. Materials gathered. Spirit

charged. Like any magic box, it requires a lot of intention to manifest the pulse of the artist’s spirit.

What is the intent? Is it to create or to sell?

Ever a romantic, the artist must stay in the moment and let go of the future. Does the artist’s spirit have room for mercenary calculations? Is it even wise for the artist to make room for notions of commodity?

I tend to believe it’s not, as compromise has no place in the artist’s studio. And so, it takes artistic courage to forgo the lure of chasing mainstream dollars. Staying true to one’s artist spirit is difficult. It requires substantial and sustained artistic integrity — an integrity founded in the compulsion to make energy charged creations. There is courage in finding oneself and making peace. There is courage in believing there are no accidents. The artist’s reward must be to taste life’s nectar in a moment of pouring out the creative spirit and so touch another’s heart. Ever a romantic, the artist knows one will follow the other.

Yes, it takes courage to be an artist, but courage is not the sole realm of the artist. The patron also has a responsibility to carry a heart that can be touched. That takes courage, too — to find oneself and make peace. Artists and patrons complete the circle of creative community; both and all are torch carriers.

The art habit

By Debra Jan Owen artist enters the studio focused and ready to be amazed.

An Guided by comfort in the art habit, the artist

instinctively follows his muse, ready for breakthrough or failure alike. Will the muse lead him astray? This can happen. A painter struggles in his or her studio with a stack of canvasses, tubes of oil paints, and time. It is a romantic vision we all accept. It’s the way great painting takes place.

Invested in process, the artist pursues a familiar experience of joy and pride.

Art is habit forming for artist and devotee alike.

Music and theater, the performing arts — they provide an intoxicating shared euphoria. Visual, decorative, and literary arts are more private. They require looking and contemplation. They require a willingness to see things that might otherwise not be seen. And seeing is a commitment to a personal moment. It is a stretching exercise of self reflection.

And, not unlike the physical habit of exercise, the art habit requires reaching beyond one’s capacities.

It requires exploration and affords the opportunity for self learning.

Art is sensual, intimate, and personal. The artist and the observer, these creatures of habit, are dancing. The steal the lead back and forth — indeed, it’s a dance that’s not always graceful. But we all must make the time for this dance. We must make a habit of living creatively.

***** Debra Jan Owen is owner of Textiles & Textures Artisans Studio, 217 N. Cortez St., in Prescott. Contact her at TextilesTextures@Cableone.Net.

5ENSESMAG.COM • DECEMBER 2013 • COLUMNS • 19

STAY CLASS-Y The Artist’s Way

Winter thyme & holly daze

with Betty Parsonage

THE SCIENCE OF

6-8 a.m. Tuesdays, Jan. 28-April 22 $260. 13 sessions. $50 reserves space. $225 if paid in full by Dec. 20.

An intensive study of “The Artist’s Way,” by Julia Cameron.

Identify and celebrate your desires and dreams and enter the path to accomplish them.

Art Journal Making with Autumn Summerfield

9:30-11:30 a.m. Saturdays Jan. 25, Feb. 1, & 15 + March 1, 2, & 22 $90. Three sessions.

Autumn will show you the foundational techniques she uses for constructing her journals. You will repeate and change these techniques using fabrics, notions, and ephemera.

Traditional Paper Mache with Donna Stirnaman

10 a.m. Tuesdays Feb. 4, 11, 18, & 25 + March 18 & 25, April 1 & 8 $75. Four sessions.

Enter a world of playful shapes and color. Express your imagination while learning the techniques of paper mache from building, sculpting and painting sculptures, characters, bowls, and jewelry.

Experimentation & the Art of Critique with Debra Owen

10 a.m. Wednesdays Feb. 5, 12, 18, & 26 + March 5, 12, 18, & 26 $20. Four sessions.

Be more productive and add new dimensions to your painting expertise. Develop your personal expression in painting, as well as critical thinking and effective supportive critiquing skill.

Sewing Fundamentals with Denise Martine Gouge

10 a.m. Thursdays Feb. 6, 13, & 20 $45 per session. $100 for all three.

“How to use and maintain your sewing machine,” “How to take a full set of body measurements and calculate correct garment sizing,” and “How to read and use a garment pattern.”

Drawing Skills with Jacques Laliberté

10 a.m. Fridays Feb. 7, 14, 21, & 28 + March 7, 14, 21, & 28 $125. Four sessions.

Practice and improve your drawing skills and artistic expression.

You’ll investigate a variety of subjects with focus on line, shading, form, perspective, proportion, composition, and planning.

Basketry

with Liz Block 2 p.m. Saturdays Feb. 15 & 22, March 1 & 8 $125. Four sessions.

Basketry is so many things: An ancient craft, a heritage, a practical application, or an exciting exploration of texture, color, and form with today’s palette of natural and synthetic materials.

Sewing Techniques

with Denise Martine Gouge 10 a.m. Thursdays Feb. 27, March 6, 13, 20, 27, & April 3 $45 per session. $225 for all six sessions.

“Turning textiles into garments,” “Principles of garment patterning, sizing, and fit,” “Construction,” “Stabilization,” “Closure treatments,” and “Edge treatments.”

Textiles & Textures Artisans Studio

217 N. Cortez 928-227-2659 Tues.-Sat. 10-7 | Sun. 11-4 TextilesTextures@cableone.net

HOLIDAYS

Excitement

and frustration.

Happiness and anger. Side-splitting comedy and heart-wrenching drama. Holidays have a habit of provoking extreme reactions and ambient ambivalences.

Many variables are outside your purview, but there are several arenas in which you can take charge.

Want to rein in the holiday chaos? Science has you covered.

The information in this guide was carefully culled from scientific studies and data. Granted, the care with which it was extracted pales in com-

parison to the care in which the information was derived in the first place.

Reading these tidbits is kind of like getting candy via the mail: Some of the contents may’ve broken during shipping, but the flavor remains unaltered. Unless the package spent the night outdoors. And then it snowed. And then a small mammal poked, prodded, and picked at it. And then a large mammal … well, you get the picture.

You experience the world through sight, sound, smell, touch, and taste. Why not break out your five senses to festoon your holiday festivities?

Taste Are you lusting after visions of sugarplums? If so, you might want to try eating cheese before bedtime. But not just any cheese. Certain kinds of cheese tend to produce certain kinds of dreams, according to a study from the British Cheese Board (no, seriously, the British Cheese Board) released in November. Stilton causes crazy dreams; cheddar instigates celebrity cameos; Cheshire shepherds calm sleep; Red Leicester begs dreams about the past, and Lancashire invites dreams about the future.

The British Cheese Board did not, however, suggest what kind of cheese could cause dreams about nimbly foiling wintery marriages and battling evil-eyed monsters à la “Babes in Toyland.”

Incidentally, cheese contains tryptophan, which reduces stress and may be one of the reasons cheese appears to

�� • GUIDE • DECEMBER ���� • �ENSESMAG.COM

affect dreams.

Be leery of disrupting your normal eating habits too much, though, as changing mealtimes can be just as detrimental to your health as overeating. Try to limit holiday indulgences not just by volume but by timing. This is one way to put to work a University of California, San Francisco study published in the December 2012 issue of Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

The study showed that the protein PKCy plays a major role in resetting your “food clock” a subset of your so-called “circadian oscillator.”

Genetically speak-

ing, our bodies turn certain genes and processes on and off in preparation for mealtimes. At present, science is still learning how PKCy acts and interacts with other cogs in this molecular clock. Until a breakthrough comes, it’s best to alter eating habits slowly and avoid spikes like indulgences that can greatly upset your internal rhythms.

Sound & Smell If you want to keep shopping in check this season, you may want to employ earplugs and a nose plug. Conversely, to get in the spending spirit, try shopping with headphones blasting old-time holiday music while noshing on a seasonal treat. That’s because particular combinations of sounds and smells appear to greatly affect behavior in retail settings, according to a study from Washington State University and Canada’s Concordia University published in the November 2005 issue of the Journal of Business Research. A combination of Christmas scents and Christmas music appeared to generate the most positive response from consumers, who consequently evaluated stores, their environments, and merchandise

in better lights than any other combination of Christmas and non-Christmas variables. Interestingly, Christmas scents paired with nonChristmas music lowered patrons’ evaluations.

On a less-seasonal front, slower tempos of music tend to slow shoppers down, after which many spend more time and money than they would if faster-paced music drew them through a store more quickly. Multiple studies confirm this on a grand scale, although there’s no accounting for personal taste and emotional associations with songs — especially when it comes to something as charged and ubiquitous as holiday music.

Touch Cold temperatures bring ice, and ice brings the inevitable slip and fall. Knowledge of why ice is slippery may not save you from falling, but it might give you a better appreciation of the friction physics involved. With every step you take, the rubber on your shoes fills in numerous microscopic valleys and mountains on the ground.

Your footing is solid because the surfaces are precisely matched — at least, once you’ve fully stepped and the rubber, which has its own spikes and blunt surfaces, is fully enmeshed.

In the words of science writer Steve Jones, in a January 2012 article in the Telegraph, “Whenever a solid object — a rubber sole, say — pushes against another (such as pavement), what seems to be a firm step forwards is in truth an infinity of tiny jerks, of ‘stickslip friction’ between boot and planet.” When you step on ice, pressure makes its melting temperature lower and you, essentially, walk on water. As you try to move forward, there’s no surface meshing, and you slide — it’s no stick and all slip.

FROM LEFT, OPPOSITE: Mouse and cheese Illustration from a vintage children’s book; boy in snow on a vintage card. Artists unknown, public domain.

Sight Vibrant reds and greens are ubiquitous this time of year, and with good reason. Many scientists argue that bright colors tap deep huntergatherer parts of our brains. In fact, color predilections have the potential to influence a gamut of seemingly unrelated decisions — perhaps even the outcome of trials. In a Dec-

ember 2011 article on its website, the staff of MGM Trail Services makes the bold assertion that “holiday colors win cases.” They suggest using green to symbolize a client’s suffering and primary blues to convey security. The piece leans on Max Lüscher’s infamous 1940 test that claimed to link color preference to personality as well as John Gage’s

1999 book, “Color and Meaning: Art, Science, and Symbolism,” though little is offered in the way of original evidence. Still, it’s an interesting claim that should give you pause.

Then again, for those of you who are red-green colorblind, some color science may be mute. Because it’s an X chromosome-linked trait, this form of color

blindness is far more prevalent in men than women — it’s 16 times as common, actually — although women with normal color vision may still carry the recessive gene for the condition. According to multiple accounts, the shades that are most affected (i.e. indistinguishable) are those at the bluegreen portion of the spectrum.

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Prescott Film Festival’s SCRIPT NOTES

A directing duo known to me Festival.”

“The Red Machine” was the opening night movie; “Gandhi at the Bat” won the Best Short award.

By Helen Stephenson

Picture

the old Doublemint commercial: “Two, two, two mints in one!” order to film the section they Not a gum person? Try Reese’s Peawant to in Yavapai County, nut Butter Cups: “You got your peanut Argy and Boehm are skipping part butter on my chocolate!” “You got your six of the story and diving headlong chocolate in my peanut butter!” into part seven. It’s the tale of a mine OK. So, you love movies and you owner who’s poisoned with cyanide. love books, right?

Argy and Boehm are currently What if you could squeeze both of working to immerse themselves in them into the same project?

A still from “A Person Known to Me,” which screens the community, learn about its hisWelcome to the creative world of Friday, Dec. 6 at Peregrine Book Co. Courtesy image. tory, and find cast and crew willing filmmakers Stephanie Argy and Alec to join their adventure. Then they’ll Boehm of Mental Slapstick Productions. put together a story that weaves local They’ve embarked on a journey to create an 1111-part series; it’s to be preceded by four graphic history, geography, and people together with their part serial adventure that uses both graphic novnovels. Still, this is the first movie and first incarcontinuing tale while highlighting what makes the els and films to tell the story of Mahoney & Porter, nation of the whole series. It’s the first time audiarea unique. a legendary detective agency circa 1895-1905. ences can see the characters on film.

At 6 p.m. Friday, Dec. 6, at Peregrine Book “A Person Known to Me” was shot it Port Between the screening and the shoot, the duo Company, Argy and Boehm unveil the first film in Townsend, Wash., a Victorian seaport about twowill be holding one last round of auditions to gaththe series, “A Person Known to Me.” They said it’s and-a-half hours northwest of Seattle. The next er up the last of their cast and crew. Email them at perfect to have the screening at a bookstore and film in the series will be shot in Yavapai County Info@MentalSlapstick.Com for details. both are scheduled to attend alongside two actors this year.

Visit PrescottFilmFestival.Com or follow the from the film, Peter and Kaya Wiant. The screenArgy and Boehm set the detectives’ cases in fest at Facebook.Com/PrescottFilmFest or on ing is free, but seating is limited. It’s first come, locations that’ve been significant in their own Twitter @PrescottFilmFest to find out more about first seated. travels. upcoming Prescott Film Festival events. Next up This is “one big story, like a serialized Dickens “Yavapai County has truly been one of the most for Prescott Film Fest is Oscar month in Februepic,” Argy said. “We’re asking people to follow important places in the world for us,” Argy said. ary and the “An Evening at the Academy Awards” “We were introduced to the area when Helen Stefundraiser on March 2. the story back and forth from books to movies.”

Best case scenario, that’s what’ll happen Friday. phenson showed our feature ‘The Red Machine’ and our short film ‘Gandhi at the Bat’ as part of “We’ve been eager to have conversations with the Prescott Film Festival monthly series.” ***** both readers and movie fans to find out ways to After that, “The Red Machine” got the Best make the experience of going back and forth as Helen Stephenson is executive director of the Prescott Film Festival and collects old hats and fluid and fun as possible.” Argy said. “We’d love to Independent Feature Award at the Sedona International Film Festival.

Mary Poppins memorabilia. When she’s not have the evening evolve into a conversation about “That was the movie’s first big award, and it watching films or marketing the fest, you can usuhow to make that happen.” changed everything for the movie and for us,” ally catch her at the computer in her Prescott Film Person Known to Me” is a 26-minute short Argy said. “Next, Helen brought both of our movFestival office on the Yavapai College campus. ies back to Prescott for the first-ever Prescott Film Contact her at Helen@PrescottFilmFestival.Com. film that’s actually the fifth part of the

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Diagnosis: Technology With Paolo Chlebecek

By Paolo Chlebecek

If

you haven’t already heard, there’s a new cyberbully in town: CryptoLocker.

To date, this computer virus has infected more than 12,000 computers and likely even more by now. You should be concerned.

Computer viruses and malware are often annoying or troublesome, but it’s been a while since there was a program that actually destroys data. I say “destroy,” but it actually encrypts or locks it, preventing you from using you from using it.

The virus spread through infected email via an attachment that looks legitimate. It often looks like something from UPS or a voicemail or invoice from

other well-known companies.

After you open the attachment, it immediately infects your system.

This particular version of “ransomware” tries to extort money from you to get your data back. An estimated three percent of people pay the $300 demand though still don’t get their data back.

I’ve had several customers with this problem and, unless they’ve got a back up, their data proves unusable. The virus affects common places, like your Documents folder.

Once your system is infected, it’s usually impossible to retrieve or revive your newly encrypted data.

Naturally, you’d like to prevent this. As Apple cultists are fond of saying, “Just get a Mac.” That’s because most viruses are designed to affect computers using Windows operating systems.

Cryptic times Short of that purchase, you should be careful not to open any attachment from unknown sources. There’s also my favorite option, a paid version of Malwarebytes’ Anti-malware. It can get rid of the infection post facto. Not only that, but the paid version helps prevent such infections in the first place.

If your computer is infected with CryptoLocker immediately disconnect from the Internet and shut down your computer. If you’ve got a back up that uses a local, attached hard drive, it could be infected, too. If, however, you use one of the many online services like Mozy or Carbonite, you might be OK. Unless you’re quite computer savvy, you’ll need a professional to remove CryptoLocker from your computer and restore your data.

Some computer experts say

this is only the first in a long line of emergent ransomeware.

Regardless, it’s a good reminder to be careful online and to maintain a good antivirus program and file backups. Prevention is key. Just as washing your hands limits the spreads of germs, antivirus programs limit the spread of computer viruses.

Hopefully these tips can help you avoid this greedy virus. ***** Paolo Chlebecek is founder and owner of PaoloTek, which he started in 2003. He enjoys technology of all kinds and, in his spare time, likes to go on adventures with his wife and four-legged children. Contact him at Paolo@PaoloTek.Com.

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�� • FEATURE • DECEMBER ���� • �ENSESMAG.COM

Gene Twaronite’s The Absurd Naturalist

Whose universe is it? of space the sun occupies at the moment of your birth determines your sign. Thus, anyone born as I was, between Jan. 20 and Feb. 18, is an Aquarius. According to one description, Aquarians are creative and idealistic, which does sound about right. They are also ordinary, tactless, fanatical, and inefficient. As you can see, astrology is still an imprecise discipline.

Having

By Gene Twaronite Astronomy and astrology are often confused by much of the public.

While it is true that both involve the study of stars and planets, the two fields are worlds apart in their views of reality.

Astronomy is the one that constantly reminds us we’re nothing but specks of dust in a vast, lonely universe, whereas astrology insists that this very same universe not only revolves around these specks but will also influence, in some strange way, what happens to them next Friday.

Astronomers, as a group, are apt to be far more annoyed by the confusion than astrologers. I’m not sure why. Perhaps astrologers make more money.

At

one time, however, most (if not all) astronomers were also astrologers, or at least occasional dabblers. This was certainly true of the great Alexandrian astronomer and geographer Ptolemy, for whom an early Earth-centered model of the solar system was named. (The fact that his system was later proved wrong should in no way detract from whatever success he might have had as an astrologer.) Such giants of science as Johannes Kepler and Galileo were also not above writing an occasional horoscope to help pay the bills. Galileo, though, was much better at aiming his telescopes than his horoscopes. He drew up a forecast for a patron, the Grand Duke of Tuscany, which promised him a “good and prosperous life.”

The Duke died a few weeks later.

Though astronomers and astrologers both make predictions, their methods are celestial worlds apart. Astrologers make a great deal out of a person’s zodiac sign. This is one of 12 constellations, each with its own 30-degree space through which the sun appears to travel across the sky. The block

nothing better to do one day, I conducted a random sampling of newspaper horoscopes. Out of 10 papers, only one — The New York Times — did not carry a daily horoscope. (Perhaps they still haven’t found the right astrologer.) For the most part, the nine sets of predictions showed a complete lack of agreement. It seemed as if the astrologers were talking about different people. A couple of them did lead me to expect “exciting times” ahead, and that my social life would improve “dramatically”— it didn’t, though this is probably no fault of the astrologers. One of them, however, did make the uncanny prediction that a Cancer, Aquarius, or Capricorn would play a role in my life that very day. My wife is a Cancer.

Considering the amazing popularity of such horoscopes, perhaps astronomers could employ a similar format. Who knows, it might even help them make more money. Thus, reading our astronomical horoscope for Friday — 5 or 6 billion years from now — we see that the sun is due to become a red giant and then collapse into a white dwarf. It is quite likely this may carry over a bit into Saturday but, in any event, expect your solar cycle to be a little low that day and employment prospects dim.

Scanning down further, we come to a section marked “trillions of years from now” (they might pin this down finer). In the unlikely event the Earth is still here, we can look forward to being swallowed up by a huge black hole near the center of our galaxy. Expect an emotional vacuum in your personal relationships with some dark times ahead. Within that same time frame, however, we can see everything in the universe eventually coming to a complete stop, as predicted by the Second Law of Thermodynamics, resulting in truly massive traffic tie-ups. Reading such a column each morning might help us cope with the day’s less awesome disappointments.

I

think most people, at heart, are like old Ptolemy. We would prefer to think of the universe as Earth-centered, thus human-centered, despite all evidence to the contrary. A soap opera universe that shares hidden details of our lives with us is certainly more comforting than the thought of being swallowed up before breakfast by an uncaring black hole. © Gene Twaronite 2013 ***** Gene Twaronite’s writing has appeared in numerous literary journals and magazines. He is the author of “The Family That Wasn’t,” “My Vacation in Hell,” and “Dragon Daily News.” Follow Gene at TheTwaronite Zone.Com.

“Flammarion,” a wood engraving by an unknown artist that first appeared in “L’atmosphère: météorologie populaire,” 1888.

Public domain.

5ENSESMAG.COM • DECEMBER 2013 • COLUMN • 25

[

MAKE YOUR OWN HOLIDAY TREE

& ORNAMENTS ~

Prepare to celebrate the holidays using only this magazine and your hands

WHU A M RN B INUG G

T his year the holiday is made easy with this complete guide to all things festive. Everything you need is in your hands! Start with the tree.

No need to get close to nature this year when you transform local resources like the paper you are reading. Just follow the instructions.

Next, glue this page to the sturdy ads inundating you this month and cut out the pre-printed and pre-branded ornaments, punch holes where shown and attach to tree with breadbag ties or broken shoe laces. You’ll find a helpful guide below each ornament to help as you choose things to bestow upon those you are fond of. Wrap them in more pages found here. At this time of year remember what is truly good.

Ornaments & Gift Guide! 

CUT

CUT



Make a TREE! 1. Unfold sections of this

BODY ENHANCEMENTS

Lip sticks, body sprays, eye shadow, perfume, shower wash, support wear, whiteners, tanning sessions, nail colors, jewelry, hair care, styling coupons, etc.

magazine and tape the sheets together making one long

CONFUSED SYMBOLIC OBJECTS

Yule tree, shepherd/candy canes, menorahs, bell-ringing, solstice rituals, Advent calendars, gift-giving, air travel, St. Nicholas, choir songs, etc.

column of pages.

2. Starting at the top end of the magazine roll, cut the edge of the newspaper down to the middle of the cylinder. Turn the



 Alcoholic beverages, mixers, decoratively-bottled liquors, ciders, acetaminophen, cigars, aspartame, Ferrero-Rocher, etc.

strips.

VEHICULAR COMPENSATIONS

European or Japanese sport coupes, naff convertibles, Smart Cars, Fiat 500s, Combis, snow tires, quads, Rhinos, sand rails, snow blowers, toy haulers, etc.

iWa

nt

 

another cut from the top down times so you have four equal

CUT

CUT

roll a quarter turn and make to the middle. Do this two more

CUT

MOOD-ALTERING AIDS

CUT C UT

3. Bend back each of the strips so that you can see the inside of the roll. Hold on to the base of the tube with one hand while reaching into the center of the newspaper roll with the fingers of the other hand.

4. Pull up on the magazine

inside the tube to start the tree

COMPETITIVE EQUIPMENT

Sports and activity gear, performance wear, outdoor duffels and packs, knives, archery items, overalls, walking poles, snowboards, etc.

growing. Keep pulling to make

TECHNOLOGY

Pads and tablets, shiny black things, earbuds, i-anythings, X-boxes, HDTVs, radio-controlled drones, robotic animals, GPSs and scanners, etc.

�� • FEATURE • DECEMBER ���� • �ENSESMAG.COM

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