June/July 2015 Vol XI No 8
Dine
under the
stars
Tu b a c Vi l l a g e r J u n e / J u l y 2 0 1 5
At the Tubac Presidio through September 30th cultural roots preserved at trIncheras
Volume X1 Number 8 June/July 2015
by Kathleen Vandervoet
Title: "Huachuca Monsoon" By: Murray Bolesta www.CactusHuggers.com See Murray's photo-article "Summertime Blues" on page 14...
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rehistoric terraces with supporting rock walls where simple homes were constructed are preserved in northern Mexico and visitors interested in archaeology are welcome. That was the message given at a presentation on June 6 at the Tubac Presidio State Park. The state park has an exhibit currently in the museum which provides an overview of the area called Cerro de Trincheras (hill of trenches or fortifications) which protects sites where early inhabitants lived and worked during 1300 to 1450 A.D.
It’s a fundamental source for understanding the creation of the cultural roots and the heritage of the people of Sonora, Mexico, according to information at the museum. Adrian Sergio Lopez Davila, the archaeologist at Cerro de Trincheras, spoke to a group of about 60 people who participated in a reception in Tubac that was also hosted by the office of Jaime Paz y Puente, Mexican Consul who has an office in Nogales, Ariz.
Lopez Davila said that Trincheras, the first archaeological site opened in Sonora, Mexico, has been under investigation for more than 20 years. Visitors are welcome and there’s a museum and an archaeology lab. The museum includes many pieces of pottery, examples from early agriculture, arrowheads, and other items of daily life found at the site. Walking paths lead to the terraces.
Research is under the auspices of INAH, Mexico’s National Institute of Anthropology and History. Lopez Davila said several groups are working cooperatively including the University of
Its north slope is covered with stone terraces, the walls of which are fairly low at the base of the hill, but rise to nine feet high towards the summit. The entire site contains more than nine hundred such terraces, Griffith wrote. Cerro de Trincheras is about a two and a half hour drive from Tubac. To reach it, travel south on Mexican Highway 15 and turn west on Highway 2 at Santa Ana. The visitor center in the town of Trincheras is open daily except Mondays.
Arizona, State University of New York, and university students from Mexico.
A future goal is to develop a path toward an area of petroglyphs, symbolic pictures carved in rocks, of which there are about 300, Lopez Davila said.
According to a published report by Jim Griffith, former director of the Southwest Folklore Center at the University of Arizona, the hill is made of volcanic rock, covers over 230 acres, and stands about 450 feet above the valley floor.
At the Tubac Presidio State Historic Park, the exhibit consists of a 20-panel international display which shows photographs of artifacts, archaeological features, and reconstructions of what life was like from the Pleistocene to the present.
The exhibit will be on view until Sept. 30.
The Tubac Park is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Trincheras exhibit is included in the entry fee, which is $5 for adults and $2 for youth ages 7-13. Information: 398-2252
(Top, left) Trincheras image courtesy of the Tubac Presidio State Historic Park. (Top, right) Gail Drummond studies one of the 20 large posters that offer information about a significant archaeological site in northern Mexico.
(Left) Adrian Sergio Lopez Davila, an archaeologist at Cerro de Trincheras in northern Mexico, spoke at a reception held recently at the Tubac Presidio State Historic Park. Photos by Kathleen Vandervoet
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'The Villager is made available in racks and at businesses throughout the Santa Cruz Valley and also made available at public libraries in Arivaca, Green Valley, Nogales, Rio Rico and numerous Tucson Libraries and businesses. June/July 2015 circulation: 8,000 NEXT ISSUE: August/September comes out early August 2015
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Tu b a c Vi l l a g e r J u n e / J u l y 2 0 1 5
Spanish with an English translation available. Jim Griffith considers Trincheras Sonora's most spectacular archaeological site. For four months only, this is an exhibition not to be missed! Included with park admission: $5 adult, $2 youth 7-13, children free. Tubac Presidio State Historic Park, 1 Burruel St. (520) 398–2252. Ongoing
JUNE 8 THRU 12, 9AM-NOON - VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL AT THE CHURCH AT TUBAC. All children ages 4-12 are welcome. Cost is free. Pre-register at http://churchattubac.com/ministries/vbs. 520-3982325.
Mondays: Free Classes at the Tubac Community Center (Room B7 in the back of the building) 5pm - Line Dancing (Cheryl); 6:00pm Yoga All levels(Lynn). For more info: evolutionstudiointubac@yahoo. com.
JUNE 12, 5-8PM - TWILIGHT IN TUBAC, 19 Tubac Road, Mercado de Baca. 3rd Annual Twilight Event June through September. Every second Friday. Complimentary buffet, Live Music, and fabulous galleries and shops.
TUESDAY THRU SATURDAYS - PAWS PATROL HAS KITTENS AND CATS AVAILABLE FOR ADOPTION at The Dog House in GV. For more info, call/text 520-207-4024, or email pawspatrol@cox.net. See some of our cats at www.greenvalleypawspatrol. org. And Weekends at Petco in Sahuarita. WEDNESDAYS & FRIDAYS - SHOREY FAMILY FARMERS MARKET at the Goods. 26A Tubac Rd. 398-2001. Thursdays: Tubac Consciousness Group offers a free meditation meeting- 9:30-11am. Group meets at Hozhoni’s, in the Heart of the Tubac Village, 22 Tubac Rd. Meditation accomplishes for the mind what relaxation does for the body. Meditation brings peace and joy to the mind. For more information about the Tubac Consciousness Group : Call Pamela, 628-9287. 1ST AND 3RD FRIDAYS LIVE MUSIC AT HOZHONI. CALL 398-2921 FOR INFO. FRIDAYS, SATURDAYS & SUNDAYS LIVE MUSIC AT LA ROCA EL BALCON. Just a short stroll from the border in Nogales, Sonora. Fri & Sat live music 7:30-11:30pm, Sun 10:30am-3pm. www. larocarestaurant.com. Sundays: The Church at Tubac - Sunday School at 10 am. Worship Service at 11 am. 2242 West Frontage Road. Info: 398-2325. www.churchattubac.com At 10 am - Sunday SpiritualutionSM Teachings of the Epochal Revelation, The URANTIA Book & The Cosmic Family volumes, by Gabriel of Urantia and Niánn Emerson Chase and Elders of Global Community Communications Alliance. Performance of the 40-voice Bright & Morning
Star Choir & Orchestra. Please call (520) 6039932 by Saturday 12 noon before coming Every other Sunday - Sunday Night at the Movies, at The Goods. 26A Tubac Rd. 398-2001. ***** NOW - ART EXHIBIT: THE ARIZONA CAVALCADE OF HISTORY – THE ALAN B. DAVIS GALLERY is open with 16 paintings by renowned Western artist William Ahrendt, each depicting a significant event in Arizona’s colorful history. The paintings and their historical narratives were featured as a special 16-part “Cavalcade of History” series in Arizona Highways magazine from 1987 through 1990. Arizona Highways remembers this series as “among the magazine's most remembered illustrations.” The giclées reproductions on canvas were donated to the Tubac Historical Society in memory of longtime Tubac resident and businessman Alan B. Davis. The collection is on permanent display at the Tubac Presidio’s Otero Hall. Included with park admission: $5 adult, $2 youth 7-13, children free. Tubac Presidio State Historic Park, 1 Burruel St. (520) 398–2252. NOW THRU JUNE 25, TUES, WED & THURS, 9AM-3:30PM - TUBAC CENTER OF THE ARTS' SUMMER ARTS PROGRAM FOR KIDS AGES 6-14. Youth will experience a wide range of visual,
performing, and literary arts. $165/3 weeks, $115/2 weeks, $60/1 week, scholarships available. For more information call 398-2371or tubacarts. org/education/summer-arts-2015. Email education@tubacarts.org. NOW THRU JULY 12 - WISDOM'S CAFE IN TUMACACORI WILL BE CLOSED, VISIT WISDOM'S DOS! IN TUBAC'S LA ENTRADA OPEN ALL SUMMER! NOW THRU SEPTEMBER 30 - SPECIAL MUSEOGRAPHIC EXHIBITION: "CERRO DE TRINCHERAS ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITE". Take a journey through the history of Trincheras, from the first settlers to the current protection of the first archaeological site in the State of Sonora. This 20-panel international display was produced and installed by the Sonoran division of the Instituto Nacional de Antropología e Historia (INAH, National Institute of Anthropology and History), a Mexican federal government bureau established in 1939 to guarantee the research, preservation, protection, and promotion of the prehistoric, archaeological, anthropological, historical, and paleontological heritage of Mexico. Its creation has played a key role in preserving the Mexican cultural heritage. The panels display photographs of artifacts, archaeological features, and reconstructions of what life was like from the Pleistocene to the present. The texts are in
JUNE 13 - FLAGSTAFF EXTREME BIG PINE ULTRA TRAILRUNNING RACES . - OUT OF TOWN - The Flagstaff Extreme Big Pine ultra running race will feature both morning and nighttime starts with distances ranging from 13 to 108 kilometers. The race will start at the park near Flagstaff Extreme and traverse the Soldiers Trail and Highlands Trail Loop, providing runners with views of mountain landscapes. For more information: Extreme Finisher: flagstaffextreme.com/events; Flagstaff Extreme: flagstaffextreme.com. JUNE 13, 11AM-2PM - LIVING HISTORY: FOODS OF THE SPANISH COLONIAL PERIOD. For the summer months we are adjusting our Old World/ New World foods program to focus on 1) the native and imported fruits of New Spain, and 2) how Mexico has developed and enhanced the notion of dessert. The presentations will educate visitors about the origins, nutritional/survival values and the incredible variety of these delectable foodstuffs. Featuring a special display and samples from the Old and New Worlds. Included with park admission: $5 adult, $2 youth 7-13, children free. Tubac Presidio State Historic Park, 1 Burruel St. (520) 398–2252. JUNE 14, 11AM-3PM - FRONTIER PRINTING PRESS DEMONSTRATIONS. Professional printer and teacher James Pagels demonstrates the Washington Hand Press used to print Arizona’s first newspaper in 1859 and answers questions about hand press printing, typesetting, and other aspects of this marvel of industrial engineering. Included with park admission: $5 adult, $2 youth 7-13, children free. Tubac Presidio State Historic Park, 1 Burruel St. (520) 398–2252.
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WE HAVE BEEN IMPORTING FOLK ART FROM THE CRAFT CENTERS OF LATIN AMERICA FOR 40 YEARS. WE WORK WITH HUNDREDS OF ARTISANS, IN VILLAGES FROM MEXICO TO ARGENTINA. THE QUALITY OF ART WE DISPLAY REFLECTS DECADES OF TREATING ARTISANS FAIRLY AND BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS THAT SPAN GENERATIONS. WE INVITE YOU TO EXPERIENCE ONE OF THE BEST LATIN AMERICAN FOLK ART COLLECTIONS ANYWHERE. - Bill & Cheryl Green “La Paloma de Tubac displays a collection of 10,000 items of Latin American folk art. The proprietors have been dealing with the same families of folk artists in Peru, Ecuador, Guatemala, and Mexico for years. It’s not high end or hard sell. This is Tubac, and it’s fun.”
- New York Times, Jan. 21, 1996
“A fantastic collection of fine Mexican pottery Latin American folk art, clothing and jewelry. La Paloma de Tubac is an important stop for shopping, sightseeing, and photography. It’s a great place to purchase accent pieces for your new home or for unique and beautiful gifts. After shopping throughout the Southwest, I found selection and pricing at La Paloma to be the best...” - About.com
FIVE STAR RATING TRIP ADVISOR #1 TUBAC ATTRACTION !
50% OFF OXIDADO POTS 20% TECATE POTS 20% OFF TALAVERA POTS THANKS FOR THIRTY GREAT YEARS! JULY 1 ZAPOTEC WEAVINGS JULY 15 DINNERWARE JULY 15 NEW GRANADA DESIGNS ! JULY 15 HUICHOL BEADWORK JULY 15 OLD SOMBREROS JULY 15 MEXICAN TINWORK JULY 20 GLASSWARE JULY 25 FUSED GLASS JULY 25 BALSA AND TAGUA AUGUST 1 GUATEMALA ! AUGUST 10 PEWTER AUGUST 10 MEXICAN SURPRISES! AUGUST 15 ECUADOR! AUGUST 20 OAXACAN CLOTHING AUGUST 30 PERU! SEPTEMBER 5 TAXCO SILVER SEPTEMBER 10 GUATEMALA BEADS SEPTEMBER 15 TECATE POTS OCTOBER 1 HATCH CHILES OCTOBER 10 TALAVERA POTTERY NOVEMBER 1 OXIDADO POTTERY NOVEMBER 10 OAXACAN POTTERY NOVEMBER 10 OAXACAN TINWORK
EVERYDAY THE UNEXPECTED!
CLOSED MONDAYS JUNE 15 TO SEPTEMBER 1
Our hand painted porcelain dinnerware collection features over 125 pieces in 21 designs. It is fired at 1800 degrees, is dishwasher safe, ovenproof, and microwavable. All patterns are open stock. All items are lead free, and safe for food use. We are a licensed FDA facility, and all items have been inspected and approved.
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JUNE 15 THRU 19, 8:30AM-1PM - CENTER FOR ARCHAEOLOGY AND SOCIETY'S “ARCHAEOLOGY AND DESERT ECOLOGY SUMMER CAMP” - OUT OF TOWN - at Deer Valley Petroglyph Preserve (DVPP), 3711 W. Deer Valley Rd., Phoenix. Register online at shesc.asu.edu/dvpp. For more information contact Libby Gerold at 623-582-8007 or Elizabeth.gerold@asu.edu. JUNE 15, 7:30-9:30PM - “COCHISE CULTURE RE-REVISITED: 2014–2015 EXCAVATIONS AT DESPERATION RANCH” - OUT OF TOWN - free presentation by Jesse A. M. Ballenger, Jonathan Mabry, and others at Arizona Archaeological and Historical Society meeting, Banner University Medical Center Room 5403, 501 N. Campbell Ave., Tucson. Free. No reservations needed. For details visit www.az-arch-and-hist.org or contact John D. Hall at Tucson telephone 520-205-2553 or jhall@ sricrm.com. JUNE 19, 11AM-2PM - LIVING HISTORY: MEDICINE OF THE SPANISH COLONIAL PERIOD. When the Spanish soldiers and their families settled Tubac in 1752, there was no doctor or surgeon among them. It was the responsibility of the women to treat their family's physical complaints and wounds. Medicine was basic and dependent on herbs and plants known for their healing properties. This living history program features a display of medicinal herbs and plants, and knowledgeable commentary by an herbalist who will tell visitors how these plants were used by “curanderas” (healers) to treat illness and injuries. Included with park admission: $5 adult, $2 youth 7-13, children free. Tubac Presidio State Historic Park, 1 Burruel St. (520) 398–2252. JUNE 19, 3-4PM - “SOUTHWESTERN ROCK CALENDARS AND ANCIENT TIME PIECES” - OUT OF TOWN - free presentation by archaeologist Allen Dart for Pima County Public Library at the Woods Memorial Branch, 3455 N. First Ave., Tucson. Free. Native Americans in the Southwest developed sophisticated skills in astronomy and predicting
Tu b a c Vi l l a g e r J u n e / J u l y 2 0 1 5
the seasons, centuries before Old World peoples first entered the region. In this presentation archaeologist Allen Dart discusses the petroglyphs at Picture Rocks, the architecture of the "Great House" at Arizona's Casa Grande Ruins, and other archaeological evidence of ancient southwestern astronomy and calendrical reckoning; and interprets how these discoveries may have related to ancient Native American rituals. For more information contact Kelly Urman in Tucson at 520-594-5445 or Kelly.Urman@pima.gov; for information about the presentation subject matter contact Allen Dart at Tucson telephone 520-7981201 or adart@oldpueblo.org.
JUNE 27, 11AM-2PM - LIVING HISTORY: FOODS OF THE SPANISH COLONIAL PERIOD. For the summer months we are adjusting our Old World/ New World foods program to focus on 1) the native and imported fruits of New Spain, and 2) how Mexico has developed and enhanced the notion of dessert. The presentations will educate visitors about the origins, nutritional/ survival values and the incredible variety of these delectable foodstuffs. Featuring a special display and samples from the Old and New Worlds. Included with park admission: $5 adult, $2 youth 7-13, children free. Tubac Presidio State Historic Park, 1 Burruel St. (520) 398–2252.
Included with park admission: $5 adult, $2 youth 7-13, children free. Tubac Presidio State Historic Park, 1 Burruel St. (520) 398–2252.
JUNE 20, 11AM-3PM - FRONTIER PRINTING PRESS DEMONSTRATIONS. Professional printer and teacher James Pagels demonstrates the Washington Hand Press used to print Arizona’s first newspaper in 1859 and answers questions about hand press printing, typesetting, and other aspects of this marvel of industrial engineering. Included with park admission: $5 adult, $2 youth 7-13, children free. Tubac Presidio State Historic Park, 1 Burruel St. (520) 398–2252.
JUNE 27 & 28- OLD PUEBLO ARCHAEOLOGY CENTER’S “HOMOLOVI STATE PARK, ROCK ART RANCH, AND THE MULTI-KIVA SITE CULTURAL HERITAGE TOUR” WITH ARCHAEOLOGIST RICH LANGE STARTING AT HOMOLOVI STATE PARK VISITOR CENTER - OUT OF TOWN -(northeast of Winslow – take I-40 Exit 257 and drive 1.5 miles north on Hwy. 87) 1 p.m. Saturday-1 p.m. or later Sunday; $60 per person ($50 for Old Pueblo Archaeology Center and Pueblo Grande Museum Auxiliary members) includes all site entry fees but no transportation, lodging, or meals. Archaeologist Rich Lange will lead this tour to sites where archaeologist Chuck Adams and Rich are currently excavating and have excavated nearly every summer during the Arizona State Museum’s Homol’ovi Research Program since the mid 1980s. This will be an opportunity to visit two of the large ancestral Hopi villages just outside of Winslow that date to the AD 1300s. We also will visit the spectacular rock art panels at Rock Art Ranch in Chevelon Canyon, and the Multi-Kiva site, where excavations being done this summer will just about be wrapping up. If traveling from Tucson, plan on a minimum of 5½ hrs driving, depending on general traffic conditions and how many pit stops you make. Reservations and payment required by 5 p.m. Thursday June 18: 520-798-1201 or info@oldpueblo.org.
JUNE 30 - DEADLINE TO APPLY - "SUMMER GALLERY" AT THE TUBAC CENTER OF THE ARTS. This special summer exhibit invites artists in the Santa Cruz Valley to present their work salon style. Visit www.TubacArts.org for more information, or call 398-2371. Exhibit runs July 31-August 30.
JUNE 20, 11AM - CUT THE CORD. Friends of the Green Valley Library presents the final class by Bob Ogus enabling you to Cut the Cord on your cable or dish TV. At the Green Valley library. Free and open to the public. JUNE 23, 1:30 P.M. – 2:30 P.M. - MONSOON MYSTERIES. We will discuss the monsoon outlook for the summer of 2015 and explore how toads, tarantulas and other desert wildlife spring into action during this much anticipated time of year. Location: Joyner-Green Valley Library, 601 N. La Canada Drive. For more information contact: 520-615-7855 or eeducation@pima.gov. JUNE 24, 8:30 A.M. - 10:00 A.M. - HERITAGE AREA STRUCTURES REHABILITATION TOUR. Architectural preservationist Simon Herbert discusses the processes and materials used for the rehabilitation of the structures at Historic Hacienda de la Canoa as he leads this behindthe-scenes tour. Learn about the work that has transformed the structures from deteriorating ruins to functional buildings. Reservations required. Location: Historic Hacienda de la Canoa, 5375 S. I-19 Frontage Rd. For more information contact: 520-724-5520 or CanoaRanch@pima.gov.
JUNE 28, 11AM-3PM - FRONTIER PRINTING PRESS DEMONSTRATIONS. Professional printer and teacher James Pagels demonstrates the Washington Hand Press used to print Arizona’s first newspaper in 1859 and answers questions about hand press printing, typesetting, and other aspects of this marvel of industrial engineering.
JUNE 30 THRU JULY 5 - JOYRIDE SOUTHWEST TOURS - ESCAPE THE SUMMER HEAT IN SANTA FE – TAOS. Guided Tours of Zuni, Taos, Santa Fe, Hopi Ruins in Winslow. Santa Fe Opera, “Daughter of the Regiment”. Wine Festival at historical Rancho de los Golondrinas, outside Santa Fe. Scenic Highroad byway from Taos including Chimayo. $725, $590 without Opera. Contact: Joyce Sierra ( 520) 404 – 2254, backroadsjoy@ gmail.com. www.joyrideswtours.com.
JULY 2, 5-6PM - “SOUTHWESTERN ROCK CALENDARS AND ANCIENT TIME PIECES” FREE PRESENTATION BY ARCHAEOLOGIST ALLEN DART for Arizona Humanities Lecture Series at Prescott Public Library, 215 E. Goodwin Street, Prescott, Arizona. Native Americans in the Southwest developed sophisticated skills in astronomy and predicting the seasons, centuries before Old World peoples first entered the region. In this presentation archaeologist Allen Dart discusses the petroglyphs at Picture Rocks, the architecture of the "Great House" at Arizona's Casa Grande Ruins, and other archaeological evidence of ancient southwestern astronomy and calendrical reckoning; and interprets how these discoveries may have related to ancient Native American rituals. For more information contact Normalene Zeeman in Prescott at 928777-1509 or normalene.zeeman@prescott-az.gov; for information about the presentation subject matter contact Allen Dart at Tucson telephone 520-798-1201 or adart@oldpueblo.org. JULY 3, 5PM-8PM - FRIDAY NIGHTFALL ON TUBAC ROAD. Explore, Dine, Shop - Live Music, Hors d'oeuvres & refreshments. For more information contact 520-398-3165 or 520-3982805.
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Tu b a c Vi l l a g e r J u n e / J u l y 2 0 1 5
JULY 4, 10AM-12NOON - OLDFASHIONED FOURTH OF JULY CELEBRATION. Tubac Presidio State Historic Park will be the site of an assortment of free games for the kids including hula hoops, water balloon and bean bag toss, coin guess, and others. For a special treat kids can make authentic adobe bricks to take home. A face painter will be available to brighten kids’ faces. Free hot dogs, nachos, watermelon, and lemonade. The “squirt-down” courtesy of the Tubac Fire Department will be the cooling grand finale. This oldfashioned family celebration is organized by the Tubac Chamber of Commerce with help from our local non-profit organizations. Park admission is FREE during the event. Tubac Presidio State Historic Park, 1 Burruel St. (520) 398–2252.
JULY 4 - TUBAC GOLF RESORT & SPA WILL HOST ITS ANNUAL 4TH OF JULY FESTIVAL with food booths, food trucks, entertainment, face painting & kids activities culminating in a grand fireworks display. Festivities begin at 4pm, fireworks at 8:45. $10 per car. VIP tickets include preferred parking, buffet dinner, live entertainment, private cash bar, 2-Drink tickets and Front Row Seating for the fireworks. $49 per person. For VIP tickets call 520398-3521 or email Lisa@TubacGolfResort.com. JULY 5, 2-5PM - ICE CREAM SOCIAL AT TUBAC ARTS AND GIFTS. Free Ice Cream! 31 Tubac Rd. JULY 8, 8:30AM-10AM - HERITAGE AREA STRUCTURES REHABILITATION TOUR. Architectural preservationist Simon Herbert discusses the processes and materials used for the rehabilitation of the structures at Historic Hacienda de la Canoa as he leads this behindthe-scenes tour. Learn about the work that has transformed the structures from deteriorating ruins to functional buildings. Reservations required. At the Historic Hacienda de la Canoa, 5375 S. I-19 Frontage Rd., Green Valley. Free, all ages welcome. For more information contact: www.pima.gov/nrpr, CanoaRanch@pima.gov, or 520-724-5520. Reservations required. JULY 9, 4:30-6PM - AOT VISITOR CENTER GRAND OPENING & RIBBON CUTTING. Join us to celebrate Tubac’s own official “Arizona Local Visitor Information Center” located at the Tubac Presidio State Historic Park. This is the culmination of a joint effort by the Tubac Chamber of Commerce and the Presidio to have an official visitor center for the Village. The Presidio is ideally suited to fill this role as its Visitor Center and restrooms meet ADA requirements and it is open 7 days a week from 9 am to 5 pm. The
new Visitor Center not only keeps rack cards for any local business that wishes to display them, but also rack cards from each of Arizona’s five tourism regions, the state Visitor’s Guide and Arizona state map. Special refreshments will be served in our various exhibit spaces throughout the Park to entice locals who have not seen our improvements to do so. This is a free event, but please call 520-398-2252 to reserve a space. Tubac Presidio State Historic Park, 1 Burruel St. (520) 398–2252. JULY 9, 7:30PM - THE B-SIDE PLAYERS PERFORM. 8-piece Afro-funk Latin fusion band from San Diego. 10 time winner of the San Diego Music Awards for Best World Music. The B-Side Players are a living and breathing cultural art experience for the mind body and soul. Sea of Glass Center for the Arts, 330 E. 7th Street, Tucson, AZ. For info & directions – http://theseaofglass. org or (520) 398-2542. Ages 18 & up = $17 advance / $22 day of show (reduced rates for youth). JULY 10, 5-8PM - TWILIGHT IN TUBAC, 19 Tubac Road, Mercado de Baca. 3rd Annual Twilight Event June through September. Every second Friday. Complimentary buffet, Live Music, and fabulous galleries and shops. JULY 11, 11AM-2PM - LIVING HISTORY: FOODS OF THE SPANISH COLONIAL PERIOD. For the summer months we are adjusting our Old World/ New World foods program to focus on 1) the native and imported fruits of New Spain, and 2) how Mexico has developed and enhanced the notion of dessert. The presentations will educate visitors about the origins, nutritional/ survival values and the incredible variety of these delectable foodstuffs. Featuring a special display and samples from the Old and New Worlds. Included with park admission: $5 adult, $2 youth 7-13, children free. Tubac Presidio State Historic Park, 1 Burruel St. (520) 398–2252. JULY 12, 11AM-3PM - FRONTIER PRINTING PRESS DEMONSTRATIONS. Professional printer and teacher James Pagels demonstrates the Washington Hand Press used to print Arizona’s first newspaper in 1859 and answers questions about hand press printing, typesetting, and other aspects of this marvel of industrial engineering. Included with park admission: $5 adult, $2 youth 7-13, children free. Tubac Presidio State Historic Park, 1 Burruel St. (520) 398–2252. JULY 14, 8:30AM-10AM - TOUR OF HACIENDA DE LA CANOA. Join a walking tour of the Canoa Ranch headquarters to gain insights into the fascinating stories of the people that lived and worked on the ranch. Visit the historic ranch buildings and corrals, and enjoy scenic views of the Santa Cruz River Valley. At the Historic Hacienda de la Canoa, 5375 S. I-19 Frontage Rd., Green Valley. Free, all ages welcome. For more information contact: www.pima.gov/nrpr, CanoaRanch@pima.gov, or 520-724-5520. Reservations not required. JULY 17, 11AM-2PM - LIVING HISTORY: MEDICINE OF THE SPANISH COLONIAL PERIOD. When the Spanish soldiers and their families settled Tubac in 1752, there was no doctor or surgeon among them. It was the responsibility of the women to treat their family's physical complaints and wounds. Medicine was basic and dependent on herbs and plants known for their healing properties. This living history program features a display of medicinal herbs and plants, and knowledgeable commentary by an herbalist who will tell visitors how these plants were used by “curanderas” (healers) to treat illness and
injuries. Included with park admission: $5 adult, $2 youth 7-13, children free. Tubac Presidio State Historic Park, 1 Burruel St. (520) 398–2252. JULY 17, 7:30PM - LOCAL MUSICIANS SHOWCASE. Featuring folk, Bluegrass, roots music with Peter McLaughlin, Robyn Landis, Rudy Cortese with Cadillac Mountain and other Tucson talents. Sea of Glass Center for the Arts, 330 E. 7th Street, Tucson. Ages 18 & up = $10 advance / $15 day of show (reduced rates for youth). For info & directions – http://theseaofglass.org or (520) 398-2542. JULY 18, 8:30AM-10AM - TOUR OF HACIENDA DE LA CANOA. Join a walking tour of the Canoa Ranch headquarters to gain insights into the fascinating stories of the people that lived and worked on the ranch. Visit the historic ranch buildings and corrals, and enjoy scenic views of the Santa Cruz River Valley. At the Historic Hacienda de la Canoa, 5375 S. I-19 Frontage Rd., Green Valley. Free, all ages welcome. For more information contact: www.pima.gov/nrpr, CanoaRanch@pima.gov, or 520-724-5520. Reservations not required. JULY 18, 11AM-3PM - FRONTIER PRINTING PRESS DEMONSTRATIONS. Professional printer and teacher James Pagels demonstrates the Washington Hand Press used to print Arizona’s first newspaper in 1859 and answers questions about hand press printing, typesetting, and other aspects of this marvel of industrial engineering. Included with park admission: $5 adult, $2 youth 7-13, children free. Tubac Presidio State Historic Park, 1 Burruel St. (520) 398–2252. JULY 20, 7:30-9:30PM - “IRRIGATION, SOCIAL CHANGES, AND ECOLOGICAL KNOWLEDGE IN EARLY FARMING SOCIETIES IN THE SONORAN DESERT” free presentation by Dr. Jonathan Mabry at Arizona Archaeological and Historical Society meeting, Banner University Medical Center DuVal Auditorium, 1501 N. Campbell Ave., Tucson. No reservations needed. For details visit www.azarch-and-hist.org or contact John D. Hall at Tucson telephone 520-205-2553 or jhall@sricrm.com. JULY 22, 8:30AM-10AM - HERITAGE AREA STRUCTURES REHABILITATION TOUR. Architectural preservationist Simon Herbert discusses the processes and materials used for the rehabilitation of the structures at Historic Hacienda de la Canoa as he leads this behindthe-scenes tour. Learn about the work that has transformed the structures from deteriorating ruins to functional buildings. Reservations required. At the Historic Hacienda de la Canoa, 5375 S. I-19 Frontage Rd., Green Valley. Free, all ages welcome. For more information contact: www.pima.gov/nrpr, CanoaRanch@pima.gov, or 520-724-5520. Reservations required. JULY 24, 7:30PM - THE STEVEN GRAVES BAND. 5-piece socially conscious folk rock Americana from Santa Cruz, CA. Sea of Glass Center for the Arts, 330 E. 7th Street, Tucson, AZ. For info & directions – http://theseaofglass.org or (520) 398-2542. Ages 18 & up = $15 advance / $20 day of show (reduced rates for youth) JULY 25 -TOYOTA EXTREME TERRAIN MUD RUN AT FLAGSTAFF EXTREME. The Toyota Extreme Terrain Mud Run counts on the summer monsoons and 70-degree weather of Flagstaff for its event inside the park near Flagstaff Extreme. Participants take on elements like monkey bars, cargo nets, climbing walls, tire piles and slip-n-slides — all in the mud and over distances ranging from 5 to 20 kilometers.
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neW vIsItor center comIng to vIllage
The Tubac Presidio State Historic Park is the newest location for an Arizona Office of Tourism visitor center. A spokesman said this is the culmination of a joint effort by the Tubac Chamber of Commerce and the Presidio to have an official visitor center for the Village. The Presidio is suited to fill this role as its Visitor Center and restrooms meet ADA requirements and it is open seven days a week from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The new Visitor Center not only keeps rack cards for local businesses and rack cards from each of Arizona’s five tourism regions, the state Visitor’s Guide and Arizona state map. The grand opening and ribbon cutting is Thursday, July 9, from 4:30 to 6 p.m. The event is free and refreshments will be served.
hearIngs on fIre budget
A new Tubac Fire District budget is scheduled to be adopted Wednesday, July 8. The proposed amount for 2015-16 is $3.8 million, down about 9 percent from the 2014-15 total of $4.2 million. The primary property tax rate isn’t expected to increase from the current figure of $2.75 per $100 of assessed valuation. The secondary tax rate which is used to pay off the bond to construct two new fire stations will rise from 65 cents to 68 cents per $100 of assessed valuation, Chief Kevin Keeley said. In the current fiscal year which ends June 30, the district will have transferred about $470,000 from its savings account to cover budgeted expenses, Keeley said.
Members of the public can attend two upcoming meetings and ask questions about the budget. They will be held Wednesday, June 24, and Wednesday, July 8, at 9 a.m. at Tubac Fire Station No. 1. The proposed budget can be viewed in advance on the fire district’s web site, www.tubacfire.org.
free loan of WalKers, WheelchaIrs
For at least 15 years, people in Tubac and neighboring communities have been able to borrow at no charge items such as walkers, wheelchairs, crutches, canes and elevated toilet seats. Now the inventory includes even more.
The equipment is stored in a room at the Tubac Community Center. A large number of additional items were donated in late May and Keeley said that to help balance the budget, he plans to reduce total employees by five in the next early June, said Willie Armijo of the community center. 18 months to two years, as individuals retire or resign to work elsewhere. The items came from the nonprofit “Friends in
old World Imports
tom look s u c , l e Relaxed fe at fits. And a price th
February Life is Good Sale
Carrying clothing brands: Roar Pink Cadalliac Life is Good Love this Life
Catch our closeout Sale on journals and stationary items up to 40% off.
Kilims, Zapotec Indian, Oriental, Nomadic, Wall hangings and other home accents, from 40 years of knowledgeable collecting. 7 Plaza Road, Tubac 520-398-2369
www.TubacRugs.com
EVENTS continued on page 10...
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Suzanne “Suzie” Sainz SANTA CRUZ COUNTY RECORDER
Deed” in Green Valley which has a surplus. That group wants to develop an unofficial partnership and assist Tubac area residents, he said. For information, call the community center at 3981800.
Impressive
high school runners Carlos Villarreal, who graduated from Rio Rico High School on May 21, had the fastest time by a high school miler in America this year. He ran 4 minutes, 5.25 seconds at the Prefontaine Classic on May 29 in Eugene, Oregon. Teenager Allie Schadler of Tubac on May 9 won the state 1,600-meter girls’ Division III race with a time of 4:45.15. A Rio Rico High School sophomore, her championship finish came a day after Villarreal broke the state record in the boys’ 1,600-meter race. Schadler also won a state title May 9 in the girls’ 800-meter run with a time of 2:15.20.
Historic zone
board affirmed Three vacancies were filled on the six-member Tubac Historic Zone Advisory Board at a May 20 Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors meeting. Those named to a new twoyear term are Karen Taylor Clark, Mindy Maddock and George Thomson. They had all previously served a twoyear term. The members who
have one more year left on their terms are Marilynn Lowder, Brent Land and Mesia Hachadorian. The board reviews development and design plans involving the erection or construction of new buildings, structures or signs in the zone. Also the modification, addition, alteration, moving or demolition of existing structures or signs located within the zone. The historic zone includes all of the retail streets and goes north to Bridge Road on the west side of Burruel Street. The Plaza de Anza Center south of the village is not part of the historic zone. Meetings of the advisory board are public but meetings have not been held on a specific schedule. For information, call Mary Dahl, the county’s community development director, at (520) 375-7930.
Future of
health clinic The board of directors of the Tubac Health Care Foundation continues to work on finding a way to have the Tubac Health Clinic open again. It was closed in midMarch after Northwest Allied Physicians said they could no longer continue their contract with the Tubac foundation because they couldn’t find a physician to employ in Tubac. Cassie Pundt, president of the foundation’s board, said in early June that the board continues to be in talks with a regional health provider about re-opening and that she hoped a decision will be
2150 N Congress Dr., Nogales, Arizona 85621
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23, at 5 p.m. at the district office and a time will be set aside for the public to ask questions or make comments.
announced in the fall. She said she didn’t want to name the provider at this time.
The proposed maintenance and operations budget is $17.7 million, up about 2 percent from the 2014-15 budget of $17.4 million. The district expects to have 3,197 students in the school year that begins in August, 40 more than the 2014-15 year, a spokeswoman said.
Summer reading for children
A summer reading program for children is offered at the Rio Rico Public Library on Thursdays at 11 a.m. from June 4 to July 9. Special guest presenters are scheduled for each session. Outstanding readers will receive prizes courtesy of the FANS, Friends of the Library. For more information or to sign up for the free summer reading program, call Danitza Lopez at (520) 285-5713.
District’s first grades preK-8 school
Peña Blanca Elementary and Calabasas Middle Schools are being transformed into SCVUSD’s first PreKindergarten-8th grade
Volunteer Brenda Camou helps as Eddie Cota throws a ball at a target in this July 2014 photo. The Tubac Presidio State Historic Park each year offers a range of games for children along with refreshments to celebrate Fourth of July. The events are from 10 a.m. to noon on Saturday, July 4. Photo by Kathleen Vandervoet
school, named Calabasas School, and scheduled to open for classes on Aug.10.
John Fanning is the principal for both schools and he has two assistant principals.
Located on one campus at the southern end of the school district, Peña Blanca Elementary and Calabasas Middle School opened in 2004 as two schools, one an elementary with pre-kindergarten through fifth grades, and the other a grades 6-8 middle school.
Additionally, the campus now houses the district’s Welcome Center for student registration.
After 11 years of operating as separate facilities, the district decided to consolidate programs under one organizational roof.
School budget hearing is June 23
The public can attend a hearing on the budget for the Santa Cruz Valley Unified School District No. 35. It will be Tuesday, June
The district office is located at 570 Camino Lito Galindo in Rio Rico.
Supervisors hold meeting in Tubac
For the first time in recent memory, the Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors is scheduled to hold a regular meeting in Tubac on Wednesday, June 17, at 9:30 at the Tubac Community Center, 50 Bridge Rd. The public can attend and during the “Call to the Public” portion of the agenda can speak to the board members about concerns. (For comments or questions, contact Kathleen Vandervoet at kathleenvandervoet@gmail.com)
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W H E N Y O U R H O M E I S V A C A N T W I T H A D D I T I O N A L I N S P E C T I O N S
D U R I N G S E V E R R A I N O R C O L D S T O R M S . *
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C L E A N I N G T E A M A N D E X C E L L E N T R E N T A L S T A F F . * A s k y o u r P r o p e r t y S p e c i a l i s t f o r a d d i t i o n a l c o s t s .
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ummertime in the borderlands is a time of thinning crowds and thickening clouds. During the southwestern monsoon, as June turns to July, the wide open skies fill up with the most dramatic weather of any place on Earth. The June heat drives away many seasonal residents. It’s the hottest month of all in southern Arizona since the afternoon cooling impact of thunderstorms has not yet arrived. June can be challenging for you, the borderlands photographer, in another way too, due to the landscape photographer’s curse: clear, featureless blue sky.
Unless there’s a moon, a drab open sky is something to be avoided in landscape photography, like the mid-day sun casting an uninspiring light. You can cut the monotony by composing an image emphasizing another subject, with just a sliver of sky at the top, or crop it out later. But then, thankfully, July’s weather arrives, the finest treat in the borderlands. On some days in our monsoon season, all four corners of the sky are filled with ominous, awesome drama. Above you is a jaw-slacking 360-degree diorama of turbulent white, grey, and blue sky art.
This month I offer a few of my images emphasizing the grandeur of our “summertime blues.” Replicating this awesomeness in a newspaper can be a challenge; the proud borderlands photographer will devote resources to creating a large-format art print for such pictures!
“Saguaro Hillside” Here, in Saguaro National Park East, the bony sharpness of the landscape is contrasted by a soft, plump skyscape. Turning ninety degrees from the sun provides an effective angle of light. A more dramatic southwest scene would be hard to find!
“Blue Monsoon #5” The northern Santa Rita mountains provide a solid foundation for this sky art. As a photographic subject in themselves, monsoon skies are hard to portray with convincing impact due to their immense scale. A solid object offering perspective is a preferred added visual element in a photo. This could take the form of something in the foreground such as the silhouette of a tree, or something bigger like a mountain horizon in the distance. In this case, the horizon is also a silhouette.
“Purple Mountain Majesties” You don’t need Colorado’s Rockies in the distance to portray the majesty of America’s open lands. In this image, the San Cayetano and Santa Rita mountains are crowned by billowing clouds of summertime. The yellow prairie grassland of the Ramanote canyon area highlights the foreground. Murray Bolesta is an art and heritage photographer, and has written this column since 2007. Murray supports the preservation of our natural, rural, and cultural heritage, and offers his art prints to individuals and institutions worldwide from his website www.CactusHuggers.com and other venues.
Tu b a c Vi l l a g e r
Summertime Blues
June/July 2015
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Birding in Tubac
Barn Swallows by John O'neill
T
here’s frenzied hanky panky going on all around Tubac. Males, supposedly paired for life, are guarding their mates and becoming extremely agitated when rivals near, although they themselves may be visiting a neighbor’s mate on occasion. Females, likewise paired for life, are straying from their mates.
This shocking licentiousness is but one of many captivating behaviors of barn swallows, cobaltblue flying machines we are fortunate to have nesting on our homes, out buildings, and our community center, where one swallow lover has built a glass-enclosed display to enlighten visitors about these avian marvels. So fasten your seat belts for this riveting peek into the secret and not-sosecret lives of these cool birds (Find the three metaphors in that sentence).
Now the facts get really gripping. Their wings beat 5-9 times per second (pretty wondrous until you realize that hummingbird wings beat an astonishing 50 times per second). Barn swallows not only eat in the air, they drink by skimming along over lakes and rivers, opening their mouths and scooping up gulps of water, and they bathe while flying by touching their bellies to the water for a rinse (also startling facts until you realize that chimney and Vaux’s swifts, their behavioral cousins, do everything in the air--and “that” too).
Both males and females build nests, semicircular half cups if against a vertical surface, and circular full cups if on horizontal surfaces. Watch for barn swallows around areas of Tubac where our irrigation sources are leaking. The birds collect the mud in their bills and mix it with grass stems to make pellets which form the nests.
Willie Armijo, an affable Amado resident who volunteers with seniors and with the private food bank at the Tubac Community Center, said he counted 1,500 mud pellets in one abandoned nest he disassembled. Armijo is so fond of barn swallows he built a display case in their honor in the room But first some semito the north of the boring facts you Tubac library. In it might know anyway. are breathless articles Barn swallows are 6 on swallows like this ¾ inches long, with one, nests left behind steel-blue backs, deeply when the cycles were forked tails, reddishcompleted, and a sheet brown throats and indicating the dates buffy underparts. They of their arrival and spend winters from departure each year southern Mexico to the since 2008. For instance, bone-chilling south of Willie Armijo by barn swallow display at the Tubac Community Center. last year he first saw the Argentina. In spring birds on March 19 and they fly north, facing A reliable source (Wikipedia) indicates size last viewed them on October 2. The display many dangers and losses en route, then most matters to barn swallows. Those with the “shows my respect for these beautiful birds and cross the border from Mexico and disperse longest tail streamers have the most breeding the dangers they go through returning here,” across North America. success. Courtship includes aerial chases, bill said Armijo. “The seniors love them.” Barn swallows are birds of open country. Their touching and mutual preening. Some people at the Community Center found diet is revolting, but beneficial to us, consisting Barn swallow parents sometimes get help swallow droppings on the covered walkways mostly of flies they snatch while maneuvering from other birds to feed their second broods a tad distasteful, so Armijo put cactus plants in the air, often low to the ground or water. of the year, usually older siblings from the first beneath nests to catch the guano. They are common above the fairways at the clutch, according to the Cornell Laboratory of Tubac Golf Resort and our fields, pastures and Though people generally encourage these pretty Ornithology. farmlands. insect-gobblers to nest near their homes and
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out buildings, some have not always shared Armijo’s esteem. They were slaughtered for the hat-making industry in the nineteenth century, as were egrets and other birds.
Nobody in Tubac would ever harm a barn swallow, or a similar cliff swallow, or their nests, for two excellent reasons. One, they provide aerial zest to our lives free of charge, and, two, if you mess with a nest and somebody chirps you out to the feds, you could end up in the Big House for six months with Charles Manson for a cellmate. The Migratory Bird Treaty Act provides for a $5,000 fine and six months behind bars for each offence for interference with most birds, regardless of knowledge of the law or intent to harm. Now for the good stuff. While many birds like barn swallows are social mates for life, infidelity is common. Researchers using modern genetic tools find that many offspring from individual females have DNA from different males, more than 50 percent in some species. To put the best spin on it, it is often the female trying to ensure the best genetic input for her offspring that seeks a fling with a healthier looking male, leading to genetic diversity that gives the young a wing up.
Again from that font of all knowledge, Wikipedia, quoting barn swallow researchers: “Both sexes defend the nest, but the male is particularly aggressive and territorial. Extrapair copulation is common, making this species genetically polygamous, despite being socially monogamous. Males guard females actively to avoid being cuckolded. Males may use deceptive alarm calls to disrupt extra-pair copulation attempts toward their mate.” Cliff swallows, with their square-shaped tails, are somewhat similar in appearance to barn swallows and are also common around Tubac. But that will have to be the subject of another scandal-tinged chapter in the secret lives of birds. �
C ON C E PT S MARKE T IN G & D ES I GN * Website Design & Management * Social Media * Event Calendars * Graphic Design for Print & Web K aron@C on ce pt s M ar ket in gD e si gn . co m
The Brasher Team Tubac Village Office: #2 Tubac Road 520.398.2506 Tubac Golf Resort Office: #1 Ave. Otero, Ste F 520.398.0200 P.O.Box 4241. Tubac, Arizona 85646 Email: tubac@russlyon.com
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Suddenly... Snakes!! by Vincent Pinto
E
ach year when June rolls around, and particularly when it's on the cusp of the Summer Solstice, my mind ruminates upon Snakes. This is the time when our onerous heat begins to finally draw moisture from the Sea of Cortez, initiating our beloved monsoon season. Rain inspires plant growth, the herbivores that dine upon this surfeit, and ultimately food in the form of a myriad of creatures for strictly predatory Snakes. You can certainly encounter and enjoy a wide range of Snake species outside of our summer rainy season, though the “bullseye” of such saurian interactions are during the monsoon. Endowed with an extraordinary number of species that run (slither?) from the diminutive to the daunting and from the cryptic to the colorful, our Sky Islands region is truly a Snake mecca. Hence my attempt to touch upon a few memorable species here.
Lest I give the impression that we are soon to be overrun with Snakes, it often can be quite difficult to observe them in the wild. If you want to guarantee seeing one, then head to the reptile exhibits at the ArizonaSonora Desert Museum. Most Snake species rely upon staying hidden from view in order to avoid predation. The list of species that regularly or occasionally include Snakes in the diet is indeed voluminous. Thus, staying out of sight and even “out of sound” are prerequisites to continuing life each day for every snake species, save the largest individuals of the largest species in the world. Additionally, since Snakes are ectotherms. They attain their body temperatures from the ambient temperatures around them and are unable to self-regulate in this regard. This equates to having to avoid the extremes of both cold and heat, which in turn often means staying in a hole, grotto, tree cavity, dense brush, and the like - i.e in a hidden locality. Long story short - Snake encounters are memorable in part because we have so few of them! Ponder for a moment what it would be like to see as many Snakes each day as we do birds.... Hawks of various types, including Gray Hawks, Common Black Hawks, and our ubiquitous Red-tailed Hawk all may sup upon a hapless Snake, as opportunities present themselves. So too the now not-so-hawkish - they apparently are Parrots “gone wrong” according to DNA studies - Falcons. Of course it is Roadrunners that our we may muse upon as the ultimate in avian assassins of Snakes. I have come upon even a beheaded Mojave Rattlesnake surrounded by Roadrunner tracks, bearing
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testament to the predatory prowess of this “king of the Cuckoos”. Of course many mammals get in on the “snake-ophagy” act. Wild canids and felids, including our Gray Fox, Coyote, Bobcat, Ocelot, and even the mighty Jaguar will dispatch the unwary or unlucky Snake. So too Badgers, Whitenosed Coatis, Raccoons, Ringtails, our 4 species of Skunks, Bears....you get the point. Being a Snake ain't easy brother! Though buying shoes is a breeze. Still, we've yet to mention that some of the primary predators upon Snakes are, well, Snakes! Top of the list, at least in terms of reputation if not volume, must be the Kingsnakes. Well named, these proficient predators certainly are not reluctant to include evolutionary kin in their fare. In the Sky Islands we harbor 3 species of Kingsnake in the genus Lampropeltis. The Milksnake is quite rare in our parts and is mostly extant in central Arizona. The Common Kingsnake by contrast is widely spread hereabouts, including a wide range of habitats from Sonoran and Chihuahuan Desert Scrub all the way up to Madrean Evergreen Woodland (think Oaks). Arizona has 3 forms, 2 of which I've encountered at Raven's Nest, our 42-acre Nature Sanctuary near Patagonia Lake. During the height of the monsoon several years ago I was enthralled to see an entirely black and rather long Snake taking cover in our grasslands. I was, however, surprised to see it hold its ground. I was sure that this was a dark form of a Coachwhip - a species which famously flees furnishing its synonymic name, Racer. Instead I was treated to a great look at a Western Black Kingsnake - a form of the Common Kingsnake. Common Kingsnakes are potent constrictors with a rather broad diet comprised of other Snakes, small mammals, birds, and perhaps the occasional amphibian. Among Snakes, they famously kill and consume Rattlesnakes, whose venom they seem to possess immunity to. They can then indeed be considered the “king of Snakes”! When Common Kingsnakes run into a perceived threat they may vibrate their tail and hiss, likely in an effort to dupe their would-be attacker into thinking that they are a Rattlesnake. If handled - rarely a good idea for either Snake or human - they sometimes emit a potent musk that smells wretchingly bad.
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20 Judging by color alone you might mistakenly reckon that Sonoran Mountain Kingsnakes are actually not very closely related to their cousins, Common Kingsnakes, despite their shared name. Colors and patterns are quite variable, however, among many Snake species, and thus no fair litmus test of evolutionary affinities. Just as Orioles are merely colorful Blackbirds, Sonoran Mountain Kingsnakes are the gaudy members of their genus in the Sky Islands. Looking at a glance like a dangerous Coral Snake is after all not a bad idea. The hesitation or prudence of a predator certainly may save your life in this regard. No doubt this does not always work, as no species of Sky Island Snake is completely immune to predation. Fortunately, the black, red, and yellow transverse bands that run from tail tip to nose also function to break up the outline of this gaudy species, hiding it from sight. A quick and reliable way to quickly tell a Sonoran Mountain Kingsnake from a Sonoran Coralsnake is that the head of the former ends with creamy yellow snout, while the head of the latter is completely black. The diet of the Sonoran Mountain Kingsnake is apparently less prone to include other Snakes. Instead it focuses upon lizards, small mammals (particularly rodents), birds, and even bats. It ranges from Interior Chaparral at its lower limits well into Conifer Forests at the upper end of habitats. I have made the acquaintance of this memorable species only on a handful of occasions. One such episode comes particularly to mind, as I was with a group of friends having lunch by a stream. Suddenly a Sonoran
Mountain Kingsnake came into view. Quickly pointing it out to the group, cameras were soon clicking, the Snake making its way up numerous trees with a deftness that had to be seen to be appreciated. It may well have been hunting Bats beneath the dead bark of these trees. As with other colorful Kingsnake species, this one is sometimes captured and held in captivity by “Snake enthusiasts”. In my opinion the only place for a wild Snake is in the wild, save for valid educational enterprises. Keeping a Snake as a pet may hold some validity when we are young and learning about Nature. As adults, however, I would like to think that are sentient enough to realize the obvious perils that
Tu b a c Vi l l a g e r J u n e / J u l y 2 0 1 5
Lizards, and their eggs comprise the bulk of the diet of this species, which inhabits Desert Scrub up through and including Coniferous Forests. We'll finish with a species that entered my life a few years ago as I was leading a Naturalist walk in Brown Canyon in the Baboquivari Mountains. There, in a Madrean Evergreen Woodland I found and pointed out to my group a sleek, thin, and beautiful Mountain Patch-nosed Snake. Reaching a length of 3 - 4 feet, this species is nonetheless in no way daunting owing to its lack of girth. It is svelte and sleek and somewhat swift. It favors rough and rocky terrain where it includes other Snakes, lizards, birds, and small mammals in its diet. The large scale that covers the snout and which lends itself to the name of this species may be used to excavate reptiles and their eggs. Of necessity we have merely touched upon and glimpsed the lives of but a few Sky captivity place upon wild populations of Snakes. Island Snake species. As any Herpetologist Not the least of concerns is the fact that if would readily tell you, even they who study and and when a person releases the Snake back seek Snakes are often thwarted in their efforts. into the wild it is rarely exactly where it was unceremoniously and rudely extracted. By now Many Snake species are notoriously difficult to find, requiring dedication, skill, and luck to you would need to have your head in the sand not to fathom the huge risks that introducing a achieve this goal. Thus, when you come across a Snake, don't run, rejoice and celebrate. Enjoy species into a foreign area poses to the ecology at a safe distance for both you and the Snake. there. Take a photo, but not the Snake. Best of all, landscape with low-water use native plant Quite a few species of Snakes are mainly species, thus providing habitat for these truly nocturnal, taking advantage of the cooler fabulous and and not-so-frequent friends. nighttime temperatures during monsoon evenings. The well-named Nightsnake is also Images courtesy of Ravens Way Wild Journeys crepuscular - active at dusk and dawn. I have seen it hiding beneath the ample protection of dead Palmer Agave leaf rosettes by day and Vincent and Claudia Pinto Run RAVENSrarely run across it at night. This species is small, WAY WILD JOURNEYS, devoted to protecting attaining a maximum size of just under 2 feet. the biodiversity of the Sky Islands Region via Its vertical pupils may ring an alarm bell for a myriad of Conservation Initiatives. They you, as quite a few venomous Snakes do bear run a wide variety of Nature Adventures, and this characteristic. In fact the Nightsnake is a unique Safari Tented Camp. Visit: www. venomous. However, it is a rear-fanged species, ravensnatureschool.com whose toxins must be chewed into its intended target. Further, the venom is intended for other � Snakes and has minimal effects upon mammals and is considered harmless to humans. Snakes,
Tu b a c Vi l l a g e r J u n e / J u l y 2 0 1 5
Also at Flagstaff Extreme the BEARJAW GROOVE MOUNTAIN BIKE RACE ON SEPT. 26. BearJaw Groove, a six and 12-hour endurance mountain bike race with a 14mile loop of mostly single track, will start off at Fort Tuthill County Park and involves teams and solo riders, a beer garden, live music and camping. Any participant to complete all three extreme events (also June 13) and the Flagstaff Extreme course will be crowned an “Extreme Finisher” and receive a custom-designed medal, t-shirt and discounted admission for the 2016 races and events; if they complete the longest/hardest version of each event they receive free admission to the 2016 events. For more information: Extreme Finisher: flagstaffextreme.com/events; Flagstaff Extreme: flagstaffextreme.com; Terrain Racing:terrainracing.com; Aravaipa Running: aravaiparunning.com; BearJaw Groove: bearjawgroove.com. JULY 25, 11AM-2PM - LIVING HISTORY: FOODS OF THE SPANISH COLONIAL PERIOD. For the summer months we are adjusting our Old World/New World foods program to focus on 1) the native and imported fruits of New Spain, and 2) how Mexico has developed and enhanced the notion of dessert. The presentations will educate visitors about the origins, nutritional/survival values and the incredible variety of these delectable foodstuffs. Featuring a special display and samples from the Old and New Worlds. Included with park admission: $5 adult, $2 youth 7-13, children free. Tubac Presidio State Historic Park, 1 Burruel St. (520) 398– 2252. JULY 26, 11AM-3PM - FRONTIER PRINTING PRESS DEMONSTRATIONS. Professional printer and teacher James Pagels demonstrates the Washington Hand Press used to print Arizona’s first newspaper in 1859 and answers questions about hand press printing, typesetting, and other aspects of this marvel of industrial engineering. Included with park admission: $5 adult, $2 youth 7-13, children free. Tubac Presidio State Historic Park, 1 Burruel St. (520) 398–2252. JULY 28, 8:30AM-10AM - TOUR OF HACIENDA DE LA CANOA. Join a walking tour of the Canoa Ranch headquarters to gain insights into the fascinating stories of the people that lived and worked on the ranch. Visit the historic ranch buildings and corrals, and enjoy scenic views of the Santa Cruz River Valley. At the Historic Hacienda de la Canoa, 5375 S. I-19 Frontage Rd., Green Valley. Free, all ages welcome. For more information contact: www.pima.gov/nrpr, CanoaRanch@pima.gov, or 520-724-5520. Reservations not required. JULY 30, 2PM - MOVIE: “THE BOTTOM OF THE BOTTLE”. For the dog days of summer come to the Presidio to enjoy classic refreshments in air conditioned Otero Hall
to watch the 1956 movie, “The Bottom of the Bottle” starring Van Johnson and Joseph Cotton. It is based on the 1948 novel by the Belgian-born author of the Inspector Maigret mysteries, Georges Simenon. Simenon and his then-current mistress, lived at the north end of Pendleton Drive; his wife, son, and first mistress lived near the southeast corner of Santa Gertrudis Lane and the East Frontage Road in the 1940’s. He was inspired by local people and conditions to write this novel of intrigue. Local Historian Dwight Thibodeaux will comment on the film as it’s being shown to tie it to local people, places, and events. The film runs 88 minutes. Call 520-398-2252 to reserve a place. $7.50 fee includes admission to tour the Park. Tubac Presidio State Historic Park, 1 Burruel St. (520) 398–2252.
AUGUST 14, 5-8PM - TWILIGHT IN TUBAC, 19 Tubac Road, Mercado de Baca. 3rd Annual Twilight Event June through September. Every second Friday. Complimentary buffet, Live Music, and fabulous galleries and shops.
JULY 31 THRU AUGUST 30 - TUBAC CENTER OF THE ARTS' "SUMMER GALLERY". Featuring Santa Cruz Valley artists. Deadline to apply June 30. For more information www.TubacArts.org. 520-3982371.
AUGUST 25, 8:30AM-10AM - TOUR OF HACIENDA DE LA CANOA. Join a walking tour of the Canoa Ranch headquarters to gain insights into the fascinating stories of the people that lived and worked on the ranch. Visit the historic ranch buildings and corrals, and enjoy scenic views of the Santa Cruz River Valley. At the Historic Hacienda de la Canoa, 5375 S. I-19 Frontage Rd., Green Valley. Free, all ages welcome. For more information contact: www.pima.gov/nrpr, CanoaRanch@pima.gov, or 520-724-5520. Reservations not required.
AUGUST 1, 8:30AM-10AM - TOUR OF HACIENDA DE LA CANOA. Join a walking tour of the Canoa Ranch headquarters to gain insights into the fascinating stories of the people that lived and worked on the ranch. Visit the historic ranch buildings and corrals, and enjoy scenic views of the Santa Cruz River Valley. At the Historic Hacienda de la Canoa, 5375 S. I-19 Frontage Rd., Green Valley. Free, all ages welcome. For more information contact: www.pima.gov/nrpr, CanoaRanch@pima.gov, or 520-724-5520. Reservations not required. AUGUST 7, 5PM-8PM - FRIDAY NIGHTFALL ON TUBAC ROAD. Explore, Dine, Shop - Live Music, Hors d'oeuvres & refreshments. For more information contact 520-398-3165 or 520-398-2805. AUGUST 11, 8:30AM-10AM - TOUR OF HACIENDA DE LA CANOA. Join a walking tour of the Canoa Ranch headquarters to gain insights into the fascinating stories of the people that lived and worked on the ranch. Visit the historic ranch buildings and corrals, and enjoy scenic views of the Santa Cruz River Valley. At the Historic Hacienda de la Canoa, 5375 S. I-19 Frontage Rd., Green Valley. Free, all ages welcome. For more information contact: www.pima.gov/nrpr, CanoaRanch@pima.gov, or 520-724-5520. Reservations not required. AUGUST 12, 8:30AM-10AM - HERITAGE AREA STRUCTURES REHABILITATION TOUR. Architectural preservationist Simon Herbert discusses the processes and materials used for the rehabilitation of the structures at Historic Hacienda de la Canoa as he leads this behind-the-scenes tour. Learn about the work that has transformed the structures from deteriorating ruins to functional buildings. Reservations required. At the Historic Hacienda de la Canoa, 5375 S. I-19 Frontage Rd., Green Valley. Free, all ages welcome. For more information contact: www.pima.gov/nrpr, CanoaRanch@pima.gov, or 520-724-5520. Reservations required.
AUGUST 15, 8:30AM-10AM - TOUR OF HACIENDA DE LA CANOA. Join a walking tour of the Canoa Ranch headquarters to gain insights into the fascinating stories of the people that lived and worked on the ranch. Visit the historic ranch buildings and corrals, and enjoy scenic views of the Santa Cruz River Valley. At the Historic Hacienda de la Canoa, 5375 S. I-19 Frontage Rd., Green Valley. Free, all ages welcome. For more information contact: www.pima.gov/nrpr, CanoaRanch@pima.gov, or 520-724-5520. Reservations not required.
AUGUST 26, 8:30AM-10AM - HERITAGE AREA STRUCTURES REHABILITATION TOUR. Architectural preservationist Simon Herbert discusses the processes and materials used for the rehabilitation of the structures at Historic Hacienda de la Canoa as he leads this behind-the-scenes tour. Learn about the work that has transformed the structures from deteriorating ruins to functional buildings. Reservations required. At the Historic Hacienda de la Canoa, 5375 S. I-19 Frontage Rd., Green Valley. Free, all ages welcome. For more information contact: www.pima.gov/nrpr, CanoaRanch@pima.gov, or 520-724-5520. Reservations required. SEPTEMBER 11, 5-8PM - TWILIGHT IN TUBAC, 19 Tubac Road, Mercado de Baca. 3rd Annual Twilight Event June through September. Every second Friday. Complimentary buffet, Live Music, and fabulous galleries and shops.
Calendar listings are welcome from advertisers and non-profit, public events.
398-3933
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Please format: Date, Time, Event, Details, Contact Info Repeat contact info on repeat entries and renew event listing each month. Send to editor@tubacvillager.com or mail to PO Box 4018, Tubac, AZ 85646
REMODELINGS- ADDITIONS NEW CONSTRUCTION
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Tu b a c Vi l l a g e r J u n e / J u l y 2 0 1 5
Summer art expands horizons for youngsters
at Tubac
F
Center of the Arts by Kathleen Vandervoet
or more than 30 years, children have developed their creativity during summer art classes at the Tubac Center of the Arts.
Student Frida Othon returned this year for classes after enjoying the time she spent last summer. Her most memorable experience, she said, was going outside under the shade of the large mesquite trees to draw.
And, she said, “The birds come to the window” in the main classroom and she loves watching them. Children’s summer art is held Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, June 2-25, from 9:30 a.m. to 3:15 p.m.
Benji Ley, 10, has been a summer art student for five years. Comparing the program to regular school art, he said he likes it because “it gives you more time to get better at your art. You come here to have fun and advance your art skills.” The program has more than 90 enthusiastic children and pre-teens registered from the entire Santa Cruz Valley, from Nogales to Sahuarita, said Sarah K. Smith, exhibitions and programs director. About 20 students have scholarships to help cover tuition.
Teacher Bethanne Griffin is spending her third summer teaching at the Tubac Center of the Arts. She’s a teaching dance artist with the Tucson Unified School District and has her own program in which she connects literacy, math and science with movement and dance. “The (Tubac) community is so fun and diverse and there’s always such a neat collection
of artists and each one brings something different,” she said.
Other teachers are Enrique Garcia, poetry; Erik Humphreys, illustration; Teré FowlerChapman, poetry; Gonzalo Espinosa, drawing, sculpture and mixed media; and Paco Velez, masks and painting. Funding comes from tuition, grants from the Santa Cruz Community Foundation, White Elephant Thrift Shop, Greater Green Valley Community Foundation, Benchmark Foundation and individuals who sponsor scholarships for students.
Smith is proud of this year’s program. She said, “"Making art is transformative for youth. During the Summer Arts Program, students learn multi-disciplinary arts including visual art, performing arts, and literary arts. “Teaching artists show students different art techniques and styles and teach 21st century skills like critical thinking, communication, collaboration, and creativity." Images clockwise from top:
Frida Othon, left, and Natalia Hernandez have come to the Tubac program in past summers and said they enjoy the activities. Ella Garside speaks to a small group as part of the poetry class taught by Teré Fowler-Chapman.
Gavyn Webster pays close attention to his painting.
Working on an art project taught by Gonzalo Espinosa are, from left, Atticus Birkett, Aiden Roquet, Nikola Paul, Benji Ley and Tommy Duncan. Photos by Kathleen Vandervoet
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Tu b a c Vi l l a g e r J u n e / J u l y 2 0 1 5
Open letter
from the Executive Director of the
tubac chamber of commerce
As summer fast approaches your Chamber is planning events and activities for our locals and visitors alike. We are also posting shops’ summer hours on the Chamber website (tubacaz.com), please feel free to check it out or call us for summertime information. Coming up quickly is the Fourth of July. First the Chamber hosts a free, family event at the Tubac Presidio State Historic Park. Local nonprofit organizations will participate including Tubac Rotary who will serve hotdogs, nachos and lemonade; the Tubac Community Center Foundation who will hold their annual coin guess; Hula Hoops with the Anza Trail Coalition; Bean Bag Toss with the Tubac Historical Society and others. Also on hand are is the Tubac Fire Department with the popular “squirt down” at 11:30.
JOIN US for
@ Tubac’s Mercado de Baca
Twilight!!!
·FREE BUFFET· ·LIVE MUSIC· ·HOURLY DRAWING FOR GIFT BAGS·
3rd ANNUAL TWILIGHT EVENT JUNE THRU SEPTEMBER
Every Second Friday 5-8 We look forward to seeing you at
In the afternoon, at 4:00 PM the Tubac Golf Resort & Spa will begin their festivities with a Kid’s Fun Zone, Tucson Food Trucks and a Fireworks show at 8:45pm.
Mercado de Baca 19 Tubac · Tubac, AZ 520-400-3893
Plans are also currently underway for “Pony-Up” the annual fundraiser for the Anza Day horses. This year’s community picnic will be held on Labor Day, Monday, September 7th. More information will be available soon, watch our website. Following Pony Up will be the Juan Bautista de Anza Days held at the Tubac Presidio on Saturday, October 17th. There will be living history exhibits, Anza’s reenactment ride, a stage with song and dance and varied food offerings. We are working on adding a local “Chili Cook-off ” to the annual Anza event this year. We’ll keep you posted. Work is also underway on the 2nd Annual Fall Arts & Crafts festival scheduled for November 6th, 7th & 8th this year. Artist applications will be accepted through June 30th and are available online at Zapplication.org or call the Chamber office for more information (520.398.2704). We are pleased to see that we have getting applications from new participants once again this year. We hope everyone attends and helps make this a great success. The Chamber mixers are on hold for the summer and will return in September. However for all Chamber members don’t miss the Annual I-19 Corridor mixer. That mixer will take place August 27th at Quail Creek in Green Valley, from, 5pm to 7pm. We will be sending out invitations before the event. Next quarterly Chamber board meeting, open to the public will be July 15, 2015 at 9:00am – location TBD. Angela Kirkner
Executive Director
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Tu b a c Vi l l a g e r J u n e / J u l y 2 0 1 5
Yoga with Kathy Edds
I
t’s June and I had planned to wax poetic about the summer heat that generally accosts our senses the minute June in the desert rolls around. Previously, days in June seemed to start at 100 degrees and stay that way or upward until we are all so heated up we cannot wait for monsoon season! Now I keep seeing light gray skies, purple clouds, cooler mornings and breezes that relieve the bit of heat that comes up. So I have to change the heat story to how I have to change. I have found over the years that yoga continually asks me to change. At first it was just learning how to practice asana on the mat, how to practice life off the mat and how to practice being an authentic human being. That is a lot! Every day is the work of being. Every day brings a challenge that tests the conditions of equanimity and compassion. Just when I think I am getting fully into my essence, something happens that reminds me there is still a lot to do. Something comes my way and I forget all the practices and
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re-act! I consider re-action the opposite of focused and attentive action. The sensory overload that often comes my way can make me quickly lose sight of the time and space I need on a regular basis. The time and space comes from meditation, asana practice, pranayama and living fully in the moment. Acting that way is the process of staying out of the part of my brain that makes immediate judgments and contradicts a lot of the compassion I strive for. When the overload appears and I begin to snap at friends, family and strangers, I know the space and time has been compromised. So as my teacher, many sages and generally everyone that strives for aligned action says, “begin again.” For me, coming to my mat and attempting poses (asana) that challenge me in all senses and forms begins to bring me back to who I really am. Transformation is the word that comes to me first, evolution second, and just plain hard work is next on the list. My growth is not being able to do the poses but realizing that to do those poses I have to change. Asana practice is a minor part of yoga. The desire to do a particular pose is tempered by the mind and breath. The mind, of course, is the biggest obstacle to change. So as the years pass, I have learned that the process is always in renovation. Some physical poses I achieved earlier in my life are really no longer accessible. Being me, this lesson was learned the hard way, through injury and then humility. Good things to keep me awakened to who I really am. Other asana simply get deeper and more lovely as I continue to practice them. The abundance of goodness that comes from experiencing a particular pose that way brings out action that really is full of space and time and lines up with my evolving desire to be present. Never knowing what might come up, heat or coolness, rain or sun, being able to do a handstand or not, is what makes me look really hard at what is happening in the present. When I am attuned to that moment, the idea of being disappointed or irritated because the sun is out or not, loses its power. When the power of being mad or angry or disappointed [insert emotion of your choice] dissipates, the ability to move into something kinder, deeper and more supportive appears. How great is that! Today I can do what comes to me with weather, people, asana practice, anything that is before me, with the poise and heart-felt actions that are the real practice. Life like that is new, like falling in love every day, special, sweet and full of ways to create a practice that allows skill in action, not a re-action. Maybe the heat will come next week or next month and I will return to its poetry then. Kathy Edds, Yoga Instructor (E-RYT 500), Ayurvedic Lifestyle Coach, www.kathyedds.com Kathy teaches yoga at The Tubac Healing Arts Center in Tubac. www. tubachealingarts.com
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Tu b a c Vi l l a g e r J u n e / J u l y 2 0 1 5
Doodles by Carol Egmont St. John
D
o your notepads and telephone books have scratches that you made unconsciously?
Do you automatically scribble when a pencil and paper are available? Do you find yourself making little drawings while you listen to a lecture, instead of taking notes? If so, you are like millions of others. Doodlers are us! Now for the rest of the story. According to doodle analysts, doodles tell tales. They are often like dream talk, unconscious, repetitive and fantastical. If you are willing to play with doodle theorists, you may learn how doodles speak your mind and discover they are highways to the workings of your true self.
As we resort to electronic gadgetry, to keyboards, texting and voicemail, it may be we are losing that intriguing kinetic playground of pencil and paper. What a shame! The loss is already being noted by certain writers who find that scribing with pencil or pen opens their minds in ways typing cannot. For them, the old, yellow, legal pads are coming back in. Doodles are examples of unprescribed art. Humans have been doing them since they scratched their first messages in stone, on shells, in the sand, on bark and papyrus. It is pre-art and post art. It is proof of the human instinct to leave a mark. Even that first homo-erectus, Java Man, left his markings. His (her?) zigzag etchings were found in South Africa, on shells estimated to have been decorated more than 300,000 years ago. They are currently stored in the Netherlands, along with other relics of early man.
Consider how we are still attracted to zigzag lines as in herring bone tweeds and floor coverings, grill work and packaging design. They are popular patterns in cultures across the world. But let’s play with self-analysis a bit. Are your doodles boxy and architectural? Boxes organize and categorize, do they not? They hem things in and help control data. Do you? Or, are your designs loopy and/or wavy? These lines are looser more relaxed in nature, playful and dreamy. Those of us who draw faces may have many reasons for this. It could rest in one’s sociability or in the desire to be beautiful or artistic. Focusing on aspects like eyes or lips may relate to early art lessons or trying to see the parts in order to recognize the whole. Think looking at the trees rather than the forest.
Stick figures are used by those whose artistic ambitions were interrupted or put aside for more abstract symbols. Many brilliant minds want to abstract things down to simple forms. That’s of course what happened as mankind moved from pictographs to phonetics. Our alphabet is a shortcut, is it not?
But why do we doodle? I think it is a tool to keep busy. Many of us do not do and are not satisfied with idleness. Our hands and minds are restless. We need something mindless to help our bodies relax. Doodling while talking on a phone, listening to a lecture, thinking about what you have to do later in the day, is a coping mechanism. It turns our censors off, banishes the editor and the nervous fidgeter has a place to twitch. Take a second look at your doodles. How did you place them on the page? Were they tucked in the margins on the left or right? The left is more interior than the right, the top of the page a loftier place and the bottom right more negative. And the pressure applied to the lead? Heavy is insistent, aggressive; varied is more artistic and centered; faint ,timid and overly sensitive.
What are your favorite subjects? Do you make houses? Are they made welcoming by putting smoke in the chimney, a path to the door?? Do you draw animals or logos or mandalas? Is it flowers that you design or hearts in motion? Is there some figure you learned to put together in school that you recreate again and again? Some words that you like illuminating? I had Carol and Paul all over my high school notebooks. It was no doubt my desire to be connected, to have a romance. Are you even aware that you are drawing?
Years ago my husband was fascinated by the doodles that I did while I talked on the phone. He replaced a filched hotel pad with a plain white version and laid out some colorful marker pens. I never asked why. For a year I doodled away unaware that he was collecting the pages of the pad. At Christmas he handed me a calendar that had each month illustrated by one of my doodles. I was amazed and pretty impressed that he made this happen while I was oblivious of his intentions or my products. Curlicues and romance. Squares and business. Grand strokes and ideals and ambitions. Look and see what your metaphors are and ask yourself how they represent you. No one can name them but you, although another pair of eyes can be insightful. You are interesting no matter what. You’re one of a kind.
It may interest you that Google has a doodle contest each year. It is called Doodle 4 Google and you can find the rules on line. They offer prizes in different age brackets and to contestants from all fifty states. The top prize is $100,000. Nice booty for a mere twitching of the hand. So try it. Doodle me this, doodle me that and doodle, doodle, doodle all day.
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Tu b a c Vi l l a g e r J u n e / J u l y 2 0 1 5
Out My Back Door by Claire McJunkin
Canyon, to a Zuni ceremony and to First Mesa to a Hopi Festival. To the Petrified Forest, Meteor Crater and Canyon de Chelly. We went to lava tubes and blow holes. I would then come home and drag my husband to all these places to share the wonders of this area.
Touch the earth and listen to the rocks for they remember
They know and remember
all that has come to pass here....
-Lee Hendersen
I
am not a geologist. I do not have a degree in this subject. I do have a tremendous interest, an undying love and a over-the-top passion for geology, though. We can all be amateur geologists living in this open amazing landscape. We are fortunate in so many ways living in Santa Cruz County, this is just another reason to brag. Exposed Geology!
When my family moved here in the 80's we bought every book that helped us to understand and to know what we were seeing when we looked at the vista that surrounds us. We traveled every weekend to a different spot in Santa Cruz County to explore and digest this world so foreign to us.
We panned for gold after a rainstorm up in the Santa Rita Mountains, we drove over the mountains from the Tubac side to the Patagonia side, finding Alto, a ghost town that was in an old mining district from the early 1900's. That was a 4 1/2 hour journey and I got out of the car more than a few times and just walked while my husband maneuvered the little car over incredible crevasses. We camped out at Elephant Head and there was not a light to see. We traveled all over the Santa Ritas and up in hills by Patagonia. We got stuck after a particularly severe thunderstorm on the wrong side of the river perched on a small spit of land and watched the water rise. We had to wait for hours to get back to our home. I decided if I really wanted to know about this area I needed to go back to school. I became a geology groupie. I took every class at Pima that I could take. My professor, Shakel, was also my mentor. We took field trips all over the Southwest. From California to see mud volcanoes, to huge deposits of obsidian, to look at the land after an earthquake, to see how it moved...Landers, California is a fine example of a lateral move of the earth. To Big Bend to find and mark the spot where we found and catalogued 100's of shark teeth, the Grand Canyon, Mesa Verde, Chaco
In all the places we went I would pick up rocks. Fossils,too, if I found them. There is a wonderful road cut in Benson that is full of crinoid stems...you just have to look for them and be patient. This is the glory of this area...exposed geology. You only have to look up or down to find a treasure from our earth. We are not hampered by grass or trees, we have sites to see right in front of us. I urge everyone to get outside and explore this wonderful valley. We have Hogback and Hoodoo formations in our very own county. How cool is that! In 2009 I was diagnosed with breast cancer. After surgeries, chemotherapy and radiation I was rather a mess. It was then I felt a need to do something outside and physical, to get my strength back I suppose. I started placing a rock at a time thinking I'd make a small labyrinth. I had many rocks from all my geology trips, and this would be a great way to honor Shakel and to take my mind away from me.
Two years later and many, many trips to the river, to the mountains, to washes, to yards of friends, a labyrinth was made. The labyrinth we made is a Hindu or Indian sacred path. A Chakravyuha. I touched every rock and fossil in that glorious path and I treasure every one of them. I listened to the rocks and they are now home. OK, get ready! Monsoon season is just around the corner. Put all your flower or Native seeds for veggies out by June 15th, a wonderful old gardener told me to do this, to take advantage of the rains. So many of the Native seeds are just for the rainy season. They are primed and ready to grow as soon as moisture hits them. Peas, beans, corn, squash are just some of the wonderful plants that will grow quickly during the summer rains. Enjoy!
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Tu b a c Vi l l a g e r J u n e / J u l y 2 0 1 5
27
A Western Review:
SLOW WEST
#8 Burrel Street
by Christian Schrader
“In a short time, this will be a long time ago.” – Werner, on the wild West. Slow West, John Maclean’s first feature film, won the Sundance Film Festival’s Jury Prize for drama earlier this year. That recognition propelled it into a thin but broad theatrical release this month alongside a payper-view release. I caught it on the small screen, and it purported itself well, though I wish I’d seen its landscapes and colors writ large. It’s a very good film, especially for a first effort, if a little ill-formed Maclean: an art school graduate, a founding member of the critical favorite The Beta Band in the 1990’s, and a filmmaker for at least six years now, brings plenty of ideas but invokes a few more themes than he can pull together, resulting in an interesting episodic film that won’t cohere to everyone’s tastes. New Zealand stands in for the 1870 American West. It suggests the American mountains, plains, and forests, and like the sere backdrop of a spaghetti western it doesn’t reach for verisimilitude, instead evoking a mythic, and maybe slightly second-hand, version of our West, as if described in a fable.
Maclean, who also wrote, draws four main characters in Slow West. Jay Cavendish (Kodi Smit-McPhee) is a 16-year old highborn Scot, come to America to find his love Rose. Silas (Michael Fassbender) is an outlaw who agrees to guide Jay to Rose, for a price. It’s a buddy film, of sorts, and these two comprise our point-ofview. Jay is our surrogate, experiencing the film’s world for the first time, and Silas, an Irish immigrant longsince inured to the harsh New World, is a jaded, cold (even murderous) older version of Jay. A lesser film and a lesser writer may have rendered Rose (Caren Pistorius) a MacGuffin – included only as an impetus for Jay and Silas’s journey, but Maclean is savvier than that. Rose is subject to the whims of a male-dominated world but exercises real agency, both in the confines of the Scottish class system (shown in flashback) and on the frontier. Finally, Payne (Ben Mendelsohn) is an outlaw to whose gang Silas once belonged. Resplendent in sullied mountain man furs, he’s the most at home in the films’ world. And what is that world? Maclean’s West, like his New Zealand locale, slightly subverts our expectations. Lawlessness is rampant – the only authorities we see are shabbily clad and charged only with killing Native Americans. It’s a diverse West, too, a true melting pot. There are, of course, Scot and Irish and a German and some Swedes, but also a troupe of Congolese and a Chinese member of Payne’s gang. We see desperation and we see arbitrary violence but the lawlessness is more Lockean than Hobbesian; Payne’s gang, as scary as they are, have a deep camaraderie – they have an easy, ribald rapport around the fire, and we hear their stories and their music. The gang is multi-ethnic and multi-gendered and takes on orphans in need. They’re not evil or even amoral, just a manifestation of the place and time, and they seem as natural as the trees and rocks. Amidst the forging of this New World, the prior inhabitants are losing theirs. Jay passes through burned Indian camps and sees them on the run from the Cavalry. In one of the film’s best sequences, Jay encounters a German, Werner, who is cataloging the culture of the aboriginals before their actual extinction or their cultural extinction at the hands of Christianity. He muses on them, “A race extinct, their culture banished, their places renamed, only then will they be viewed with nostalgia, mythologized and romanticized in the safe guise of art...This is a new world for us, also for them.” This scene with Werner contains most of the film’s self-reflection, and while it’s on-the-nose, it works. Werner vanishes overnight and we’re left wondering if he existed or was only Jay’s fever dream. Slow West is almost a great film but instead it’s a very good one. Maclean could have used more focus and followed through on his stories, but he goes broad instead of deep. Silas’s redemption is a major thrust of the film, but we never see Silas being very bad in the first place. We see Payne much the same way, and this is a particular shame; Mendelsohn, a terrifying force in Animal Kingdom (2010) and Starred Up (2013), is good here but isn't given much to do. But these are slight complaints, and I wouldn't dissuade anyone from seeing it. Maclean is now a director I'll follow with much anticipation.
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