Diamond Canyon wins honorable mention at the Aerospace Challenge
by LeeAnn Sharpe
NORTH VALLEY – Michele R. Jones, a fifth‑grade teacher at Diamond Canyon Elementary School in Anthem, is mighty proud of all of her 42 highflying students who participated, and especially the five who won an honorable mention in the Honeywell Fiesta Bowl Aerospace Challenge preliminary competition on Dec. 4. Presented by the Arizona Republic and featuring Microsoft Mission Control, the challenge gave students an opportunity to compete in teams of three to five to construct a "new" generation International Space station which promoted team‑building, communication, problem‑solving and critical decision‑making skills.
Jones said, "Many volunteers spoke of how impressed they were by all the teams' responses. They made a team patch and really presented themselves well. It's more about teamwork, cooperation and problem solving than science."
"I'm really happy and proud," Diamond Canyon fifth‑grader Isabella Haelen of the winning team said. "We had to design a space station. We had a huge activity room with a pool and work out rooms."
Describing their winning design, Haelen said, "Everyone had a computer and games in their quarters. For meals we designed a big food court with restaurants like Panda Express and others. And they would have a Safeway where they buy food and cook in their dorms. It was a pretty big space station."
Each team made both written and oral presentations of their model, as well as supporting materials with scientific explanations, to a panel of about 40 experts from Honeywell. The panel then chose the top three teams from each day to advance to the finals, held December 29 at the Challenger Space Center in Peoria. NASA astronauts were scheduled to be on hand at the finals to present the first place team and teacher with a VIP trip to the Johnson Space Center in Houston, Tex., to experience a behind‑the‑scenes look at the NASA facilities.
"We had some problems, but we figured it out as a team. We learned a little bit about science, but mostly we learned about working together," Haelen said.
When asked, do you see yourself going into space someday? Haelen said, "Maybe¼ Yeah it might actually happen!"
In its 8th year, the event brought together more than 600 fifth‑ through eighth‑graders from across Arizona to the competition, which invited students to design and build a model international space station to sustain a crew of 100 for two years. Some of the topics researched included satellite development and maintenance, provisions for gravity, shielding, meeting social and religious needs, food and entertainment, and living conditions.
Diamond Canyon students Alex Dalessio, Samantha Dalessio, Baylee Nichols, Isabella Haelen, and Andi Leusler, known as the "Hoopsters" team, earned an honorable mention at the December 4 competition, where three teams statewide were selected for the finals and three teams were recognized for honorable mentions.
"The judges at ASU asked us questions and we had to explain all of our design," said Haelen.
In Deer Valley Unified School District, two schools participated in the competition. Twelve students from Shannon Harshman's Gavilan Peak School fifth through seventh grade classes also participated.
Harshman commented about Diamond Canyon's win "They won best team spirit. And it was their first time in competition. It's quite an accomplishment, and we're really proud of them."
"My students are excited about getting ready for next year."
Showing posts with label Anthem. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Anthem. Show all posts
Saturday, January 06, 2007
Sunday, October 29, 2006
Starlight Community Youth Theater brings ‘The Wiz’ out from behind curtain
If you believe, then you’ll be there’
Starlight Community Youth Theater brings ‘The Wiz’ out from behind curtain
by LeeAnn Sharpe
“Believe that you can go home, believe you can float on air, then click your heels three times, if you believe, then you’ll be there,” says Glinda the Good Witch.
Ease on down the road to the Starlight Community Youth Theater’s “The Wiz,” when believing is seeing at performances Nov. 3‑4 and Nov. 9‑11 at Boulder Creek Performing Arts Center.
Based on the ever popular L. Frank Baum book “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz” published in 1900, “The Wiz” first hit the Broadway stage in 1975 and ran for four years, winning seven Tony awards. A subsequent Hollywood movie starring Michael Jackson, Richard Pryor and Diana Ross received limited acclaim in 1978. But none ever received the attention of the 1939 classic Judy Garland “Wizard of Oz” movie, a traditional holiday favorite.
Oz characters Dorothy, Scarecrow, Tin Man, Cowardly Lion, the Wizard, Glinda the Good Witch, and the Wicked Witch of the West are so entrenched in the American lexicon that quotes like “Toto, I’ve a feeling we’re not in Kansas anymore,” and “There’s no place like home,” have become cliches.
So how will “The Wiz” Director Mark Oesterle, a local assistant school principal, bring this production to life in Anthem? The script, an updated, urban, version of “The Wizard of Oz” has Dorothy whisked from her inner‑city neighborhood to the mystical land of Oz. All the characters from “The Wizard of Oz” are in this production, but with a modern urban flavor. And where the Broadway show and film version were primarily African American, this show takes on a lighter hue as a result of the suburban demographics of the North Valley.
One way this production will bring its own flavor is through Anthem resident Sherry Henderson, who is choreographing her 5th show with Starlight. Henderson has performed on Broadway and currently teaches dance at Dynamic Motion Dance Academy, and her experience will accent the production.
The show’s Musical Director Mark Foreman (AriZoni 2006 Award winner for Best Music Director in “The Who’s Tommy”) with his bRocktasmic! Orchestra Foreman will instill interesting sound in songs from “The Wiz,” including “Ease on Down the Road” sung by the characters as they dance down the Yellow Brick Road.
Foreman’s, or 4man’s, as he writes his name, bROCKtasmic! Orchestra consists of Assistant Music Director Steve McCarvel, Drums Nick Seagull, Bass Chris Pernice, Guitar Cody Carter, and a 13 piece bROCKtasmic! Orchestra. It’s a brilliant blend of rock and orchestra with a modern, edgier feel, plus lush orchestrations of yesteryear.
Foreman says, “[I’m] Very excited about working on ‘The Wiz’, and looking forward to working with an orchestra this size. In a show of this nature it’s important to have as many of the little details as possible. Things like the trumpet hits and string lines ala Shaft, native to 70s black music were needed to make this show authentic.”
Dorothy’s role in this production will be shared by Abby Belliston and Allysa Luders, and the Scarecrow role will be shared by Carissa Marston and Channing Pickett, who is also the Dance Captain, working under the direction of choreographer Henderson.
The finale brings the entire cast together to sing, “Everybody look around...’Cause there’s a reason to rejoice you see. Everybody come out. And let’s commence to singing joyfully. Everybody look up. And feel the hope that we’ve been waiting for. Everybody’s glad. Because our silent fear and dread is gone. Freedom, you see, has got our hearts singing so joyfully. Just look about. You owe it to yourself to check it out. Can’t you feel a brand new day?”
You owe it to yourself to check out “The Wiz” a joyful production with plenty of talent and enthusiasm. It’s just what Anthem resident Pat Bennett believed the youth in the North Valley needed, a theatrical home, when she, along with Oesterle, Henderson, Paul and Betty Towne and a dedicated crew of volunteers created the nonprofit community theater corporation, Starlight Theater in 2005. A steady stream of community theatre proves Starlight has been successful. As with all community theater, they look forward to seeing you at the theater.
“The Wiz” will play Nov. 3‑4 and 9‑11 at the Boulder Creek Performing Arts Center, 40401 North Gavilan Peak Parkway, in Anthem. The shows start at 7 p.m. For more information, call (623) 566‑7991 or visit www.starlightcommunitytheater.org.
Starlight Community Youth Theater brings ‘The Wiz’ out from behind curtain
by LeeAnn Sharpe
“Believe that you can go home, believe you can float on air, then click your heels three times, if you believe, then you’ll be there,” says Glinda the Good Witch.
Ease on down the road to the Starlight Community Youth Theater’s “The Wiz,” when believing is seeing at performances Nov. 3‑4 and Nov. 9‑11 at Boulder Creek Performing Arts Center.
Based on the ever popular L. Frank Baum book “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz” published in 1900, “The Wiz” first hit the Broadway stage in 1975 and ran for four years, winning seven Tony awards. A subsequent Hollywood movie starring Michael Jackson, Richard Pryor and Diana Ross received limited acclaim in 1978. But none ever received the attention of the 1939 classic Judy Garland “Wizard of Oz” movie, a traditional holiday favorite.
Oz characters Dorothy, Scarecrow, Tin Man, Cowardly Lion, the Wizard, Glinda the Good Witch, and the Wicked Witch of the West are so entrenched in the American lexicon that quotes like “Toto, I’ve a feeling we’re not in Kansas anymore,” and “There’s no place like home,” have become cliches.
So how will “The Wiz” Director Mark Oesterle, a local assistant school principal, bring this production to life in Anthem? The script, an updated, urban, version of “The Wizard of Oz” has Dorothy whisked from her inner‑city neighborhood to the mystical land of Oz. All the characters from “The Wizard of Oz” are in this production, but with a modern urban flavor. And where the Broadway show and film version were primarily African American, this show takes on a lighter hue as a result of the suburban demographics of the North Valley.
One way this production will bring its own flavor is through Anthem resident Sherry Henderson, who is choreographing her 5th show with Starlight. Henderson has performed on Broadway and currently teaches dance at Dynamic Motion Dance Academy, and her experience will accent the production.
The show’s Musical Director Mark Foreman (AriZoni 2006 Award winner for Best Music Director in “The Who’s Tommy”) with his bRocktasmic! Orchestra Foreman will instill interesting sound in songs from “The Wiz,” including “Ease on Down the Road” sung by the characters as they dance down the Yellow Brick Road.
Foreman’s, or 4man’s, as he writes his name, bROCKtasmic! Orchestra consists of Assistant Music Director Steve McCarvel, Drums Nick Seagull, Bass Chris Pernice, Guitar Cody Carter, and a 13 piece bROCKtasmic! Orchestra. It’s a brilliant blend of rock and orchestra with a modern, edgier feel, plus lush orchestrations of yesteryear.
Foreman says, “[I’m] Very excited about working on ‘The Wiz’, and looking forward to working with an orchestra this size. In a show of this nature it’s important to have as many of the little details as possible. Things like the trumpet hits and string lines ala Shaft, native to 70s black music were needed to make this show authentic.”
Dorothy’s role in this production will be shared by Abby Belliston and Allysa Luders, and the Scarecrow role will be shared by Carissa Marston and Channing Pickett, who is also the Dance Captain, working under the direction of choreographer Henderson.
The finale brings the entire cast together to sing, “Everybody look around...’Cause there’s a reason to rejoice you see. Everybody come out. And let’s commence to singing joyfully. Everybody look up. And feel the hope that we’ve been waiting for. Everybody’s glad. Because our silent fear and dread is gone. Freedom, you see, has got our hearts singing so joyfully. Just look about. You owe it to yourself to check it out. Can’t you feel a brand new day?”
You owe it to yourself to check out “The Wiz” a joyful production with plenty of talent and enthusiasm. It’s just what Anthem resident Pat Bennett believed the youth in the North Valley needed, a theatrical home, when she, along with Oesterle, Henderson, Paul and Betty Towne and a dedicated crew of volunteers created the nonprofit community theater corporation, Starlight Theater in 2005. A steady stream of community theatre proves Starlight has been successful. As with all community theater, they look forward to seeing you at the theater.
“The Wiz” will play Nov. 3‑4 and 9‑11 at the Boulder Creek Performing Arts Center, 40401 North Gavilan Peak Parkway, in Anthem. The shows start at 7 p.m. For more information, call (623) 566‑7991 or visit www.starlightcommunitytheater.org.
Wednesday, October 25, 2006
Black Mountain teacher to run 100 mile endurance race
Black Mountain teacher to run 100 mile endurance race
Black Mountain Elementary schoolteacher Jody Chase is going to be in a world of H.U.R.T. this January.
And she’s looking forward to that.
Chase, a physical education teacher, is going to be a member of the Hawaiian Ultra Running Team as they compete in the Trail 100 Mile Endurance Run on Jan. 13‑14.
Among the toughest endurance races in the world, the H.U.R.T. race follows pig trails through the tropical rain forest along the slopes to the summit of Maui’s Mt. Haleakala, the world’s largest inactive volcano. One of Chase’s students, third grader Daniel Hofer said, “She is absolutely crazy!”
Chase responded with a chuckle, “I’m not crazy. I just want to see if I can do it. I get a lot of support from my students.”
Daniel’s mother, Pam Hofer said, “I can’t believe it. It’s a hundred‑mile run, and it’s nonstop.”
Hofer, who is also a physical education teacher at Black Mountain, described Chase as “an awesome PE teacher.”
“She’s very quiet and I’ve never heard her raise her voice, but still she handles the kids real well,” Hofer said.
Chase knows how to prepare for an endurance race. In her five years of endurance running, she has consistently finished in the top 20 percent of the field. “I’m usually in the top five women finishers,” Chase said, adding she has completed three 100‑mile races in the past few years.
Chase’s students enjoy seeing her medals and hearing stories about her race experiences.
The forthcoming Hawaii race is a pretty steep goal–with more than 24,935 feet of elevation gain and loss over the course. The trails are described as very technical and the terrain is not easy. The entire race is either uphill or downhill. In addition, much of the race is run in darkness and runners have to keep moving over dangerous ground in some portions. They will traverse ridge tops that have steep vertical embankments. Runners are warned in a guidebook to take caution, “Broken bones are a real possibility on this course.”
The guidebook goes on to state, “It is recommended that runners carry a whistle on their person at all times. Should you become incapacitated or lost, the whistle may be your lifeline.”
Additional dangers include dehydration, hypothermia, road crossings, lack of lighting (heavy forest canopy makes the trail very dark), and wildlife like wild pigs roaming the trails with teeth and tusks that can do serious damage. Runners must cross as many as 10 streams and rivers, they are warned to not drink the water, as there is a leptospirosis problem in Hawaii.
Aside from the rugged terrain, the weather poses a challenge to participants as well.
“January is the beginning of the rainy season. Rain can come down in huge quantities over a short period of time. I expect to be wet the entire race,” Chase said.
When asked how a desert dweller will deal with the extremely high relative humidity, Chase said she drinks large quantities of water and makes certain she is getting the necessary nutrients to maintain an adequate balance of electrolytes.
“It’s important to promote a healthy lifestyle. And the positive example of setting high, rigorous goals for oneself is part of being a role model forstudents,” Chase said.
Her goal is to finish the race and bring back her experiences to share. Chase expects to complete the race in about 32 hours and feels her chances are good to be the top woman finisher.
Runners must carry their own supplies and are advised to carry the course map. The guidebook reads, “There’s always the possibility that some of the course markings may be removed during the event.”
“Yeah, that happens,” Chase said, undaunted. “A friend and I will be out the day before the race helping to mark the course, so I will be familiar with at least a small part of the course.”
Those who complete the run will be awarded belt buckles and special awards will go the first three male and female runners to cross the finish line.
Chase said she intends to seek sponsors to offset the tremendous cost of the trip.
Black Mountain Elementary schoolteacher Jody Chase is going to be in a world of H.U.R.T. this January.
And she’s looking forward to that.
Chase, a physical education teacher, is going to be a member of the Hawaiian Ultra Running Team as they compete in the Trail 100 Mile Endurance Run on Jan. 13‑14.
Among the toughest endurance races in the world, the H.U.R.T. race follows pig trails through the tropical rain forest along the slopes to the summit of Maui’s Mt. Haleakala, the world’s largest inactive volcano. One of Chase’s students, third grader Daniel Hofer said, “She is absolutely crazy!”
Chase responded with a chuckle, “I’m not crazy. I just want to see if I can do it. I get a lot of support from my students.”
Daniel’s mother, Pam Hofer said, “I can’t believe it. It’s a hundred‑mile run, and it’s nonstop.”
Hofer, who is also a physical education teacher at Black Mountain, described Chase as “an awesome PE teacher.”
“She’s very quiet and I’ve never heard her raise her voice, but still she handles the kids real well,” Hofer said.
Chase knows how to prepare for an endurance race. In her five years of endurance running, she has consistently finished in the top 20 percent of the field. “I’m usually in the top five women finishers,” Chase said, adding she has completed three 100‑mile races in the past few years.
Chase’s students enjoy seeing her medals and hearing stories about her race experiences.
The forthcoming Hawaii race is a pretty steep goal–with more than 24,935 feet of elevation gain and loss over the course. The trails are described as very technical and the terrain is not easy. The entire race is either uphill or downhill. In addition, much of the race is run in darkness and runners have to keep moving over dangerous ground in some portions. They will traverse ridge tops that have steep vertical embankments. Runners are warned in a guidebook to take caution, “Broken bones are a real possibility on this course.”
The guidebook goes on to state, “It is recommended that runners carry a whistle on their person at all times. Should you become incapacitated or lost, the whistle may be your lifeline.”
Additional dangers include dehydration, hypothermia, road crossings, lack of lighting (heavy forest canopy makes the trail very dark), and wildlife like wild pigs roaming the trails with teeth and tusks that can do serious damage. Runners must cross as many as 10 streams and rivers, they are warned to not drink the water, as there is a leptospirosis problem in Hawaii.
Aside from the rugged terrain, the weather poses a challenge to participants as well.
“January is the beginning of the rainy season. Rain can come down in huge quantities over a short period of time. I expect to be wet the entire race,” Chase said.
When asked how a desert dweller will deal with the extremely high relative humidity, Chase said she drinks large quantities of water and makes certain she is getting the necessary nutrients to maintain an adequate balance of electrolytes.
“It’s important to promote a healthy lifestyle. And the positive example of setting high, rigorous goals for oneself is part of being a role model forstudents,” Chase said.
Her goal is to finish the race and bring back her experiences to share. Chase expects to complete the race in about 32 hours and feels her chances are good to be the top woman finisher.
Runners must carry their own supplies and are advised to carry the course map. The guidebook reads, “There’s always the possibility that some of the course markings may be removed during the event.”
“Yeah, that happens,” Chase said, undaunted. “A friend and I will be out the day before the race helping to mark the course, so I will be familiar with at least a small part of the course.”
Those who complete the run will be awarded belt buckles and special awards will go the first three male and female runners to cross the finish line.
Chase said she intends to seek sponsors to offset the tremendous cost of the trip.
Daughters of the American Revolution
The Daughters of the American Revolution is a volunteer women's service organization dedicated to promoting patriotism, preserving American history, and securing America's future through better education for children.
Anthem has grown to sufficient numbers to warrant the formation of it’s own Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, according to Organizing Regent Emory Maxwell. She says, “With over 30,000 residents predicted to populate Anthem in the near future, it’s time for a local Chapter of DAR.”
There are over 3,000 chapters across the country with 168,000 members. About 40 chapters have been organized in Arizona already. The new Anthem Chapter plans to draw members from all of the North Valley communities.
DAR members volunteer more than 55,000 hours annually to veteran patients, award over $150,000 in scholarships and financial aid each year to students, and support schools for the underprivileged with annual donations exceeding one million dollars.
The primary requirement for membership is you must prove lineal descent from a patriot of the American Revolution making it one of the most inclusive genealogical societies in the country. Any woman 18 years or older-regardless of race, religion, or ethnic background can apply if they meet the first requirement.
The DAR, founded in 1890 and headquartered in a building spanning a full city block in Washington, D.C., has a website at www.dar.org which links to email for every chapter. Their museum, “The Americana Collection” contains more than 4,000 diverse American manuscripts and rare imprints highlighting persons and moments of historic importance. The focus of the collection is on Colonial America, the Revolutionary War era, and the Early Republic.
The Continental Congress, the DAR annual national meeting, is named after the original Continental Congress, which governed the American Colonies, and attracts approximately 4,000 members to Washington, D.C., each year.
An organizational meeting for the Anthem Chapter will be held on Friday, November 17, 2006 at 1pm at the Anthem Community Center, 41130 N Freedom Way and is open to all interested. Or you can call Emory Maxwell at 623-551-3084 or emorymaxwell@aol.com .
Anthem has grown to sufficient numbers to warrant the formation of it’s own Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, according to Organizing Regent Emory Maxwell. She says, “With over 30,000 residents predicted to populate Anthem in the near future, it’s time for a local Chapter of DAR.”
There are over 3,000 chapters across the country with 168,000 members. About 40 chapters have been organized in Arizona already. The new Anthem Chapter plans to draw members from all of the North Valley communities.
DAR members volunteer more than 55,000 hours annually to veteran patients, award over $150,000 in scholarships and financial aid each year to students, and support schools for the underprivileged with annual donations exceeding one million dollars.
The primary requirement for membership is you must prove lineal descent from a patriot of the American Revolution making it one of the most inclusive genealogical societies in the country. Any woman 18 years or older-regardless of race, religion, or ethnic background can apply if they meet the first requirement.
The DAR, founded in 1890 and headquartered in a building spanning a full city block in Washington, D.C., has a website at www.dar.org which links to email for every chapter. Their museum, “The Americana Collection” contains more than 4,000 diverse American manuscripts and rare imprints highlighting persons and moments of historic importance. The focus of the collection is on Colonial America, the Revolutionary War era, and the Early Republic.
The Continental Congress, the DAR annual national meeting, is named after the original Continental Congress, which governed the American Colonies, and attracts approximately 4,000 members to Washington, D.C., each year.
An organizational meeting for the Anthem Chapter will be held on Friday, November 17, 2006 at 1pm at the Anthem Community Center, 41130 N Freedom Way and is open to all interested. Or you can call Emory Maxwell at 623-551-3084 or emorymaxwell@aol.com .
Saturday, October 07, 2006
2nd Annual Wild Western Festival Pioneer Living History Museum
The 2nd Annual Wild Western Festival came to Pioneer Living History Museum in North Phoenix at Pioneer Road and I-17 on Saturday and Sunday, September 23rd-24th. Thousands of western lifestyle enthusiasts came out to enjoy the beautiful fall Arizona weather and plenty of cowboy shootin’, hootin’ and hollarin’, cowboy music and good eats.
DR “Buck” Montgomery bills his event as “Where History meets Hollywood”. Stars of the old westerns including Whitey Hughes, Donna Martell, Peter Brown, Don Collier, Gregg Palmer, Bob Hoy, Marie Harmon, and authors Cheryl Rogers-Barnett and Charlie LeSueur were on hand to sign autographs.
One man from Wittman says he came in to see some of his favorite entertainers from the golden age of the silver screen. “It was a time when the western reigned and the cowboy code was the way we lived.” Donna Martel commented, “It was a simpler time.” Marie Harmon reminisced about all of the stars she had worked with, “So many are gone now.”
From the moment you entered the old west town, musicians greeted you with old west ballads. A mix of modern vendor booths selling everything from resort hotel vacations to guided desert excursions for tourist and beachfront properties in Mexico, stood next to the old west merchants with cowboy hats and sheriff stars for the kids. The big barbeque pit had burgers, dogs, ribs and chicken smelling mighty good. Traditional festival fare like snow cones and kettlekorn were doing a steady business too.
Decked out in classic cowgirl fringed riding skirt and shirt Pistol Packin’ Paula entertained a good-sized audience seated comfortably on the lawn. Her rope tricks, gun spinning and whip cracking had the crowds oohing and aaahing throughout her performance. After, she took time to sign autographs and pose for pictures with fans.
Sourdough Slim and Dave Bourne took the stage at noon with a duet of piano and song. Bourne, known as the piano player in the HBO hit series “Deadwood” where his music is used as background in the Gem Saloon, showed his historian expertise as he told stories about each of the songs he played. Some were familiar, but most never made the top 40 list of hits, even back in 1880.
A nice group of award winning traditional cowboy musicians were on hand playing at one of three stages throughout the weekend. Paula Strong and Walt Richards were Western Music Association Best Duo Harmony of the Year in 2005, Tom Hiatt and the Sundown Riders, known as an Arizona Cowboy Balladeer, and Bill Barwick, “voice of the Western Channel” sang and told stories of the old west.
The World Champion Moontee Sinquah Indian Dancers and Flute player added to the traditional western flavor of the event.
Most popular were the gunfights in the old west town with Kowboy Kal, Joey Dillon, Gary “Bad Dog” Bennett, DR “Buck” Montgomery, and Pioneer’s stunt cowboys shooting it out. Crowds gathered early for seats in the grandstand or to stake out a place along the fence to catch the action up close. These gunfighters used more humor than fear in their act and the crowds enjoyed their antics.
All in all, it was a very worthwhile and entertaining festival of old west fun. A bit of advice if you attend next year, wear a hat. Even with the cooler temperatures, the sun was intense with little opportunity for shade. And drink plenty of water.
###
DR “Buck” Montgomery bills his event as “Where History meets Hollywood”. Stars of the old westerns including Whitey Hughes, Donna Martell, Peter Brown, Don Collier, Gregg Palmer, Bob Hoy, Marie Harmon, and authors Cheryl Rogers-Barnett and Charlie LeSueur were on hand to sign autographs.
One man from Wittman says he came in to see some of his favorite entertainers from the golden age of the silver screen. “It was a time when the western reigned and the cowboy code was the way we lived.” Donna Martel commented, “It was a simpler time.” Marie Harmon reminisced about all of the stars she had worked with, “So many are gone now.”
From the moment you entered the old west town, musicians greeted you with old west ballads. A mix of modern vendor booths selling everything from resort hotel vacations to guided desert excursions for tourist and beachfront properties in Mexico, stood next to the old west merchants with cowboy hats and sheriff stars for the kids. The big barbeque pit had burgers, dogs, ribs and chicken smelling mighty good. Traditional festival fare like snow cones and kettlekorn were doing a steady business too.
Decked out in classic cowgirl fringed riding skirt and shirt Pistol Packin’ Paula entertained a good-sized audience seated comfortably on the lawn. Her rope tricks, gun spinning and whip cracking had the crowds oohing and aaahing throughout her performance. After, she took time to sign autographs and pose for pictures with fans.
Sourdough Slim and Dave Bourne took the stage at noon with a duet of piano and song. Bourne, known as the piano player in the HBO hit series “Deadwood” where his music is used as background in the Gem Saloon, showed his historian expertise as he told stories about each of the songs he played. Some were familiar, but most never made the top 40 list of hits, even back in 1880.
A nice group of award winning traditional cowboy musicians were on hand playing at one of three stages throughout the weekend. Paula Strong and Walt Richards were Western Music Association Best Duo Harmony of the Year in 2005, Tom Hiatt and the Sundown Riders, known as an Arizona Cowboy Balladeer, and Bill Barwick, “voice of the Western Channel” sang and told stories of the old west.
The World Champion Moontee Sinquah Indian Dancers and Flute player added to the traditional western flavor of the event.
Most popular were the gunfights in the old west town with Kowboy Kal, Joey Dillon, Gary “Bad Dog” Bennett, DR “Buck” Montgomery, and Pioneer’s stunt cowboys shooting it out. Crowds gathered early for seats in the grandstand or to stake out a place along the fence to catch the action up close. These gunfighters used more humor than fear in their act and the crowds enjoyed their antics.
All in all, it was a very worthwhile and entertaining festival of old west fun. A bit of advice if you attend next year, wear a hat. Even with the cooler temperatures, the sun was intense with little opportunity for shade. And drink plenty of water.
###
Tramanto Neighborhood Watch
Tramanto citizens, in conjunction with Phoenix police, are launching a new crime prevention effort to include volunteer patrols and Neighborhood Watch signs.
Christian Wittenberg recalls his neighbor going outside carrying a baseball bat to investigate a “would be car thief” and getting shot in the foot. It’s a rare occurrence in Tramanto and one that the PNP (Phoenix Neighborhood Patrol) would like to prevent.
With grant funds of $4700 the PNP is installing 50 Neighborhood Watch signs 24”x18” that read “Warning: This area protected by neighborhood watch and Operation ID. To report suspicious activity call Crime Stop at 602-262-6151. Take a bite out of crime. A picture of McGruff, the “crime fighting dog” completes the sign. Reports indicate these signs are effective in warning criminals they will be watched and are likely to avoid the area. The grant funds also pay for patrol mileage, uniforms, cell phones, flashlights, and office supplies.
Seven volunteers have gone through a full day of training with the Phoenix Police department. The all day Saturday class educates recruits about what they can and can not do as civilians on patrol. Subjects like graffiti, recognizing suspicious activity and patrol guidelines are discussed. Recruits must be over 18-years of age and pass a background check and have no felony arrests on record. There is no pay, just a willingness to protect the community.
“I learned a lot of things in the class. Like you can not grab someone and detain them against their will,” says Wittenberg. “We just have to call the police to apprehend the suspects. We don’t carry guns as part of our agreement with the Phoenix police department. The training teaches our patrol how to safely handle a situation until the police arrive. Basically, we are there to observe and report to the police.”
Wittenberg is retired and the only full time PNP worker. All of the other volunteers work full time jobs and do their patrols on weekends and evenings. “Right now we get two patrols a month,” Wittenberg says. “I wish we had more volunteers. We would like to get more frequent patrols.”
“One way citizens can help the PNP is to keep cars off the street overnight,” Wittenberg says. “Any car on the street overnight is suspicious. Also emergency vehicles can not get through if cars are parked on the streets.”
Tramanto is one of the safest communities in Phoenix with very low crime statistics. Wittenberg and his PNP force intend to keep it that way.
Christian Wittenberg recalls his neighbor going outside carrying a baseball bat to investigate a “would be car thief” and getting shot in the foot. It’s a rare occurrence in Tramanto and one that the PNP (Phoenix Neighborhood Patrol) would like to prevent.
With grant funds of $4700 the PNP is installing 50 Neighborhood Watch signs 24”x18” that read “Warning: This area protected by neighborhood watch and Operation ID. To report suspicious activity call Crime Stop at 602-262-6151. Take a bite out of crime. A picture of McGruff, the “crime fighting dog” completes the sign. Reports indicate these signs are effective in warning criminals they will be watched and are likely to avoid the area. The grant funds also pay for patrol mileage, uniforms, cell phones, flashlights, and office supplies.
Seven volunteers have gone through a full day of training with the Phoenix Police department. The all day Saturday class educates recruits about what they can and can not do as civilians on patrol. Subjects like graffiti, recognizing suspicious activity and patrol guidelines are discussed. Recruits must be over 18-years of age and pass a background check and have no felony arrests on record. There is no pay, just a willingness to protect the community.
“I learned a lot of things in the class. Like you can not grab someone and detain them against their will,” says Wittenberg. “We just have to call the police to apprehend the suspects. We don’t carry guns as part of our agreement with the Phoenix police department. The training teaches our patrol how to safely handle a situation until the police arrive. Basically, we are there to observe and report to the police.”
Wittenberg is retired and the only full time PNP worker. All of the other volunteers work full time jobs and do their patrols on weekends and evenings. “Right now we get two patrols a month,” Wittenberg says. “I wish we had more volunteers. We would like to get more frequent patrols.”
“One way citizens can help the PNP is to keep cars off the street overnight,” Wittenberg says. “Any car on the street overnight is suspicious. Also emergency vehicles can not get through if cars are parked on the streets.”
Tramanto is one of the safest communities in Phoenix with very low crime statistics. Wittenberg and his PNP force intend to keep it that way.
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