DESERT EXPOSURE
JULY 2016 • 49
ON STAGE
Looking For Toto
Animal advocate group, theater, casting two dogs for upcoming ‘Wizard of Oz’
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n sunny Las Cruces, New Mexico rainbows are not a common sight, but this Christmas season all eyes will be looking to the end of the rainbow and sharing the adventures of two canines whose lives will be changed forever. A national campaign has been launched to seek out the leading canines for the beloved play, ‘The Wizard of Oz,’ performed by the Las Cruces Community Theatre (LCCT). The Las Cruces Community Theater has selected Kelly Barker of Uncaged Paws to lead the search, called “Finding Toto 2.” Barker developed the campaign to use social media to maximize the search and share the candidates and their audition videos with the public so they may also take a leading role in the selection of the canines. “There are so many charming, loveable dogs in shelters and this is the star search to find the dogs that will take the lead as Toto in the holiday program of the 1939 classic,” Barker said. In the many adaptions, the lead canine Toto has been a terrier. But, LCCT president and “Wizard of Oz” director Janet Beatty-Payne wants to broaden that horizon to ensure that as many suitable candidates can be auditioned for the role. The casting call is open to small to medium sized
dogs, no more than 35 lbs who have personality, charm, good manners, are quick to learn and are comfortable in crowds with adults and children, said Payne. “We’re casting two dogs to split the role of Toto, for reasons of animal welfare as well as finding homes for not just one dog,” said Susie Ouderkirk, who will be fostering and training the canine actors. “Homeless animals depend on animal advocates to help them get to the safety of new and loving homes. More than seven and a half million companion pets enter U.S. shelters each year; approximately 3.9 million are dogs,” Barker said. “It is our goal to find the two Toto canines, but also to ensure that many other dogs are introduced to potential adopters through their video auditions. The program of Find Toto2 will allow us to tap into the vast animal advocate network who will be casting call spotters for this role. A critical portion of our goal in this campaign is to raise the awareness of adoptable dogs that are in need of new homes.”
After the candidates are chosen they will be transported to Las Cruces, New Mexico, where they will be hosted by their foster family while learning their role with an experienced animal trainer. When the final curtain call has occurred they will begin the interview process for their forever home. In the course of their busy schedule there will be ample opportunities for these furry celebrities as “ambassadogs” for shelter pets. Uncaged Paws is the developer of the New Mexico low cost/free spay-neuter-microchip program of Operation Spot- NM. “We hope to have concluded the search by July 25 for the next Operation Spot-NM clinic where these lucky canines will be introduced to the community,” says Barker. The contest is open only to dogs that are currently in shelters or are with registered rescue organizations. For each candidate, submit a 3-5-minute video, in good light, which highlights the pet and their winning personalities. The submission is on the Facebook site, Find Toto2. Provide the name of the submitting shelter/rescue contact information. Prizes will be awarded to the winning shelter/rescue that introduces the new Totos. Find the campaign on Facebook and at Finding Toto 2.
In the film version of “The Wizard of Oz” from 1939, Toto was played by a Cairn terrier named Terry.
NEW MEXICO GARDENING • MIKE COOK
Master Gardener Classes Begin Aug. 18 in Las Cruces
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ou can become a certified master gardener. The Doña Ana County Cooperative Extension is now taking applications for its 2016 master gardener class. The 15-week course begins Thursday, Aug. 18 and meets every Thursday (except Thanksgiving) from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. through mid-December. The cost is $195 per person and includes all class materials and a binder. Course instructors will include New Mexico State University Cooperative Extension specialists from across the state, certified master gardeners and other experts on everything from landscaping and weather to insects and water. To enroll, pick up an application for at the county Cooperative Extension Service office at 530 N. Church St. The form can also be downloaded at http:// aces.nmsu.edu/county/donaana/ mastergardener/apply.html. On that same website, you can view a sample master gardener syllabus. In addition to attending the classes, a master gardener intern must complete a 50-hour internship that includes 25 hours of answering questions on the master gardener hotline and 25 hours of community service to beomce certified. Once certified, master
gardeners must volunteer at least 50 hours each year to retain certification. The master gardener program began nationally in King County, Washington in 1976 and has expanded to all 50 states. “The New Mexico Master Gardener Program began in 1981 in Albuquerque,” according to the Master Gardener website. “There are currently 15 New Mexico counties and the Navajo Tri-State Extension office with active master gardener programs,” said Kelly White, who became the state’s first ever master gardener program coordinator in November 2015 and is based in Los Lunas. Two other New Mexico counties link into the master gardener program through the internet, including Luna County. Doña Ana County started a master gardener program in 2000, which is coordinated by Anderson. There are now nearly 150 master gardeners and master gardener interns in Doña Ana County. Blandford coordinates the program in Luna County. Doña Ana and Luna counties added 21 newly certified master gardeners to their programs during a graduation ceremony held Saturday, Jan. 16 in Las Cruces. Another 19 in the two counties were recognized as master gardener interns. For information, call 575-5256649.
Summer 2016 Stars-N-Parks Astronomy Programs Announced
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esidents and visitors to Sierra County will have three opportunities to learn about the summer night sky at Stars-N-Parks astronomy programs to be held at Percha Dam State Park this summer. Three astronomy programs will be held at Percha Dam State Park, south of Truth or Consequences. The first program is the Saturday before the Independence Day Holiday. The National Public Observatory sponsors the Stars-N-Parks astronomy programs. Stars-N-Parks attendees should arrive at the park no later than sunset so they can become familiar with their surroundings before nightfall. This is also an excellent time for informal instruction by the presenter and getting acquainted with other attendees. A formal presentation on the night sky begins approximately an hour after sunset,
followed by telescope observations. Pay the $5 day-use fee at the gate when arriving at the park or you may purchase a State Park Annual Day Use (ADU) pass at any state park or online at www. nmparks.com. The $40 passes are good for one year from the date of purchase and can be transferred to any vehicle. The NPO is a non-profit membership organization that sponsors astronomy programs for all. Suggested donations for the program are $5 per couple, or $3 per individual. For more information on the NPO visit the website at www.Astro-NPO.org.
STARS-N-PARKS SUMMER 2016 SCHEDULE
Saturday, July 2 Sunset: 8:14 p.m., Program Start: 9:15 p.m., Program End: 10:45 p.m. The planet Jupiter is in the
West. Mars is near the meridian with Saturn trailing behind. The Summer Milky Way is rising. Presenter: John Gilkison Saturday, Aug. 6 Sunset: 7:56 p.m., Program Start: 9 p.m., Program End: 10:30 p.m. The planet Jupiter is low in the West. Both Mars and Saturn are past the meridian. The Summer Milky Way is nearing the meridian. Presenter: John Gilkison Saturday, Sep. 3 Sunset: 7:24 p.m., Program Start: 8:20 p.m., Program End: 9:50 p.m. Venus is low in the West. Jupiter is lost to the Sun’s glare. Mars and Saturn are low in the Southwest. The Summer Milky Way is very high in the South trailing to the Northwest. Presenter: John Gilkison