Features

When I took off this morning the smoke was pretty intense, so I pointed the nose up and to the north.

COTTONWOOD – With two years under his belt at Mingus Union High School, freshman physical education teacher Dave Moncibaez can thank his father for his career choice.

Yikes, now we have birds getting their hair dyed to improve their looks. Suddenly, even the wimpiest of male birds became chick magnets with increased testosterone levels! The biology professors who conducted the research claim that when birds feel more attractive and “sexy” to chicks (oops, I mean female birds) it triggers a series of “body chemistry changes.”

“My family has been in education for many generations,” said Miller, who teaches second- and third-grade students at Camp Verde’s United Christian School.

First, a turkey update since the black hawk just interrupted my blogging by trying to take a baby turkey. Tom's girls laid about three dozen eggs and settled down to brood at the beginning of May. It was bad from the beginning.

There are few things that can bring a smile to my face more than watching the squirrels in our neighborhood as they bounce their way across the grass … I caught this one in midflight as the back feet have just left the ground and the front are reaching for the next landing spot.

It was an exciting encounter and lasted a total of two or three seconds.

Being in the business of fitness, nutrition, and generalized digestion, I guess am expected to occasionally write about the gut.

Now through June 28, Art in the Clark Memorial Library presents “Cedar Bark Barking,” a wide-ranging display of master weaver Cass Schorsch’s baskets, hats, and wall hangings.

No, not the puppies, although they are growing by great big leaps and bounds. Only two weeks ago they were cute cuddly not-very-heavy things. Now I swear they weigh twice what they did when they came and are all legs.

Not long ago I resumed my evening walks and have started getting some shots I like again. I took this one of a javelina who was also on his evening walk … taken up near the green on the 11th hole as I was walking back home down the fairway.

COTTONWOOD – Looking back on her 26-year career as an educator, Valley Academy’s Laurie Lozano said she wanted to be a teacher “as far back as I can remember.”

Down the hatch … among humans a way of toasting or celebrating by throwing a drink down your throat ...

CLARKDALE – In the words of Steve Doerksen, Angela Russell is “who she is.”

LAKE MONTEZUMA – Kay and Ralph Nye will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary on May 25.

Before I get to today's post I want to do some updating. The puppies are doing very well. They have mastered "sit" and the art of herding chickens and sheep, when they are not herding dogs.

Yesterday I spent about an hour and a half photographing House Mountain, an ancient shield volcano in the Sedona area.

A shot I took of a grebe at Willow Lake a few weeks ago and he seems to have a look of incredulity about him … or curiosity perhaps … ornery?

RIMROCK – Orderly and fun – at the same time. That’s how Beaver Creek Principal Katrina Sacco describes Wendy Quintana’s third grade classroom.

Mother’s Day! The “Big Day” is usually a joyful celebration, reflection and acknowledgement of the moms we love!

“And the day came when the risk to remain tight in a bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom.” My bud-to-blossom story began with the first man in my life.

Eve Moffatt has always had an active life. With a thriving career as a jazz and blues singer, as well as a motivational speaker, her voice is a large part of who she is.

The natural habitat of the Upper Verde River, lake, springs and marshes once included an estimated 5,000 beavers, and an abundant assortment of wildlife.

CAMP VERDE – While in college, Jeff Luera taught weekly at a juvenile detention center. His takeaway from the experience was the “need for positive role models in the lives of teenagers.”

The revolution in Mexico divided the Mexican community at Jerome.