A view of the fire south-east of Arcosanti on Tuesday night, June 28. 2005.
According to WILDFIRE NEWS: The Cave Creek fire started northeast of Carefree, Arizona. The fire, burning in chaparral, oak, and grass, is threatening a major power grid, riparian areas, endangered species habitat, and archaeological resources. Steep slopes, extreme fire behavior, flashy fuels, and poor access are proving difficult. About 250 homes have been evacuated. Firefighters today are expecting flamelengths up to 30 feet, with plume-dominated fire behavior. The south side of the fire is secure, but crews have been spiked out northwest of the fire to allow for better access. Yesterday the fire crossed into the Red Creek drainage and burned into the Upper Ranch area. This morning it was 25 percent contained at 124,033 acres. Four injuries have been reported, and 11 homes were destroyed. The fire's threatening the LX Bar Ranch, the Tangle Creek administrative site, the Red Cross Ranch and Upper Ranch, and the Copper Creek administrative site. Whitney's team reports that the fire's been following the path of the Pinnacle Peak 345 KV powerline, which is a critical element of the power grid and provides power from Glen Canyon to Phoenix. The Western Area Power Administration and the IMT may decide to de-energize the powerline to ensure the safety of firefighters working under it. This is not expected to disrupt service to the Phoenix area. Fire activity intensified significantly Sunday afternoon, with extreme fire behavior, and the fire burned across the Bloody Basin Road -- the last reasonable control feature before the Pine Mountain Wilderness. The East Valley Tribune reported that the second team was ordered because of concerns that the fire could threaten Rim Country communities including Dugas, Pine, and Strawberry; ash has been falling around both Pine and Strawberry. The Pine-Strawberry Fire Department hasn't yet decided on evacuation plans. The fire's expected to reach the Mogollon or Verde Rim in about three days. Back-country roads on the Prescott and Coconino national forests have been closed, a voluntary evacuation was put in place for the Childs Recreation Area along the Verde River, and the Coconino has closed access to Fossil Creek, Irving, and Childs. More than 800 people are working on the fire. Resources include more than two dozen hotshot crews and nine Type 2 crews, 28 engines, four dozers, and a dozen helicopters -- four lights, four mediums, and four heavies. The world's largest saguaro, a 46-foot cactus near Horseshoe Lake, was scorched by the fire and is not expected to survive.[Photo: Jeff Kunzelman & text: sa, quotes from on-line Wildfire News]
Arcosanti residents, staff, volunteers and workshop participants on June 24. 2005.
[top row from left]Tomiaki Tamura - project director, Ruth-Claire Weintaub - Soleri Book Initiative, Robert Manley - Maintenance, Vanessa Colombel, Aurelien Froment - Alumni, Darina Trendafilova - Workshop, Gabriel Hendrix - Foundry, Scott Riley - Construction/Utilities manager, Enrica Ceneda - Workshop, Mika Kawai - Construction, Mark Whigham - Cafe, Kip Hersted - Foundry/Tourism, Erika Peres - Cafe manager.
[middle row from left]
Bernadette O'Neill - Ceramics, David White - Workshop, Philip Bonham - Construction, Young soo Kim - Workshop, Phillip Smith - Workshop, Matthew Graves - Workshop, Andrew Woodward - Construction, Jayamoorthi Murugesan - Workshop, Meredith Colgin - Workshop, Ahdom Sayre - Workshop, Shaine Griggs - Workshop, Lee So young - Workshop.
[low row from left]
Chieko Shimizu - Foundry, Patrick Doyle - Construction, Ira S Murfin - Soleri Book Initiative, Graziella Pazzanese - Workshop coordinator, Susannah Mira - Soleri Book Initiative, Amelia Baker - Workshop, Jewel Black Feather-Welter - Ceramics, Charles Provine - Public Relations coordinator, Sue Anaya - Soleri Archives coordinator, Virginia Schutte - Construction/Bakery, Thanajayan Nagappan - Workshop.
[bottom row from left]
Tristan Tollas - Child, Yuki Yanagimoto - Soleri Archives.
[Photo & Text: Yuki Y]
Congratulations to the May 22. Workshop upon their graduation: Amelia Cates receives her certificate.
[Photo & text: sa]
Workshop graduate Young Soo Kim.
[Photo & text: sa]
Workshop graduate Lee Soo Young. Matthew Richardson, Jonathan Mort, Yayamoorthi Murugesan, Shaine Griggs, David White, Cory Macfadden, Nicholas Hammond, Darina Trendafilova, Thanajayan, Enrica Ceneda, Ahdom Sayre, Meredith Colgin, Matthew Graves and Austin Baker also graduated.
[Photo & text: sa]
This continues highlights of JUNETEENTH 2005: Henry Turner from Reggae Band Henry Turner Jr. & Flavor with Arcosanti chef Virginia Schutte. Henry spent part of his mornings in the kitchen to cook and
flavor some Southern Treats: Saturday lunch of Blackened Fisch or Tofu, Fried Okra, Red Beans & Rice and Hushpuppies - Sunday lunch of Seafood Gumbo, Fried Chicken and Waffles, Dirty Rice, Green Beans and Cornbread.
[Photo & text: sa]
College/Student Jazz Ensemble, a group of very dynamic young musicians, started the afternoon performances.
[Photo & text: sa]
Powerful, versatile singer Mary Redhouse with the PJAZZ band.
[Photo & text: sa]
Guitarist Joshua Breakstone was joined by Malik Alkabir. There was lots more, too much to mention here. If you missed this week-end, make a note on your calendar for next year. This is a wonderful event with great music, lots of different foods, magicians and a puppet-show for the kids, arts and crafts and an overall very mellow atmosphere.
For more information on the event you can also check the PJAZZ web-site. THANK YOU to Milt Cannon from the Prescott Jazz Society for doing such a great job of organizing this event.[Photo & text: sa]
A super line-up of Jazz and Blues talent graced Arcosanti during the 6th annual JUNETEENTH Festival at the Colly Soleri Amphitheater. A few highlights of the 2-day event: Event organizer Milt Cannon and Malik Alkabir in a saxophone duo with the PJazz band ...
[Photo & text: sa]
... A second year appearance of the talented flutist Dr. Jill Allen.
[Photo & text: sa]
... The dynamic Quetzal Guerrero / Cacabel.
[Photo: Yuki Yanagimoto & text: sa]
... Reggae Dance in the Vaults. For more information on the event you can also check the PJAZZ web-site. More to come.
[Photo: Yuki Yanagimoto & text: sa]
A group of American Express managers visits Arcosanti for a Team Building Exercise.
[Photo: Yuki Yanagimoto & text: sa]
The main feature of this exercise is a Silt Workshop taught by Foundry manager Jim Huth and Charles Provine of Public Relations.
[Photo: Yuki Yanagimoto & text: sa]
The group enjoys a delicious lunch at the Arcosanti Cafe.
[Photo: Yuki Yanagimoto & text: sa]
Part of the package is an extensive tour of the Arcosanti site with background information on Paolo Soleri, construction history and an introduction to Arcology Theory, the reason for building Arcosanti. For more information on Special Tours please contact Public Relations Charles Provine.
[Photo: Yuki Yanagimoto & text: sa]
The annual JUNETEENTH Festival will commence this week-end at the Colly Soleri Amphitheater
with a full schedule of great music. Activities on Saturday, June 18. will open at 11 am with Rev. Douglas Hobson and the Saint Luke Ebony Christian Church Choir. PJAZZ Band with Malik Alkabir follows at noon. At 2 pm the College Jazz Ensemble returns, followed by the Jill Allen Quartet with event organizer Milt Cannon on Saxophone. At 6 pm we welcome back dynamic Quetzal Guerrero/Cascabel. The evening closes with a Reggea Dance with Henry Turner Jr. & Flavor, in their 6th year at this event.
Photo was taken during Juneteenth 2004 with event organizer Milt Cannon on Saxophone and the PJazz band.
[Photo & text: sa]
Sunday line-up starts at 11 am with a guest speaker from the Arizona Commission on the Arts followed at noon by the PJAZZ Band with Mary Redhouse. The talented College/Student Jazz Ensemble plays at 2 pm and at 4 pm Joshua Breakstone joins Malik Alkabir. Henry Turner Jr. and Flavors much enjoyed Limbo-show is scheduled for 6 pm. Finale at 7:30 pm is Blues Trial by Fire.
Music Clinics will be available with Dr. Jill Allen / Flute, Malik Alkabir / Saxophone, Joshua Breakstone / Guitar and Mary Redhouse / Navajazz Vocal Creative Workshop. For more information and reservations please call 928 925-1422.
There will also be Art and Crafts display as well as a variety of food vendors. Gate is $10, $5 for students. For more information on the event check the PJAZZ web-site. Photo was taken during Juneteenth 2004. Henry Turner Jr. and Flavor Limbo-show.[Photo & text: sa]
This continues the report of the remodel project of bathrooms in the Colly Soleri Music Center posted on 6/8. Installation of hardware and lighting is complete, tiles are grouted and wood frames sealed.
[Photo & text: sa]
The little corner sink in the main shower room waits for a mirror, everything else is in place.
This bathroom and shower facility is located in the east wing of the Music Center, next to several small practice rooms and a guestroom. It also serves the amphitheater stage and green room.[Photo & text: sa]
Most of the tiles were selected from a generous donation of an assortment of different tiles by FACINGS OF AMERICA Tile Company. Tiles with impressions are from the Arcosanti Ceramics Department. The floor tile pattern was designed by Segolene Gautier. This completes the report on this project.
[Photo: Yuki Yanagimoto & text: sa]
This continues the report on the project in front of the Ceramics Apse, posted on 5/16. Construction volunteer Mika Kawai, with the help of workshop participants, built a form to raise the level of walkway under and around the three new benches. A large crew of volunteers and workshop participants is ready for a concrete pour.
[Photo: Yuki Yanagimoto & text: sa]
Landscape Department manager Ron Chandler teaches every step of concrete work.
[Photo: Yuki Yanagimoto & text: sa]
Mika teaches her crew how to screed the concrete and fine finish work.
[Photo: Yuki Yanagimoto & text: sa]
Here is a view of the area before and after the pour.
Each tour of visitors stops at this location where tour guides explain the silt construction of the Ceramics Apse as well as the production of Ceramic Bells. The new Benches will be a welcome resting place while listening to the tour.[Photo: Yuki Yanagimoto & text: sa]
This continues the report of the remodel project of bathrooms in the Colly Soleri Music Center on 6/6. [left] In the large shower room the tile design on the floor is coming along and the walls have been prepared for tiles. [right] The toilette and light fixture have been installed in the small bathroom.
[Photo: Yuki Yanagimoto & text: sa]
Opaque glass is installed between the two rooms and each room now has a small corner sink.
[Photo & text: sa]
This photo shows the larger shower room with hardware for handicap access installed, as well as a door to a small utility room. The walls are straight, distortion is due to camera limitation in a small room.
[Photo & text: sa]
Project leader for this remodel, Mark Baris, installs the hardware in the handicap accessible shower stall. The report on this project will continue on 6/13.
[Photo & text: sa]
This continues the report of the remodel project of bathrooms in the Colly Soleri Music Center posted on 5/23. Segolene Gautier and Kim Chikyung install insulation panels between the new wall studs.
[Photo: Yuki Yanagimoto & text: sa]
Project coordinator Mark Baris teaches Workshop participant Kim Chikyung to mud drywall.
[Photo: Yuki Yanagimoto & text: sa]
The dry wall panels have been sanded and painted. Wood trim puts a nice finish to the new walls. Light fixtures and fans are connected.
[Photo: Yuki Yanagimoto & text: sa]
The new lay-out consists of an entrance hallway that leads to a small bathroom with sink on the south side [right] and a larger room with bathroom facility, sink and shower toward east. New floor tiles are laid out. Artist Segolene Gautier worked out an intricate pattern for the main room. This report continues on 6/8.
[Photo: Yuki Yanagimoto & text: sa]
Writer, poet and Arcosanti alumnus Ira Murfin (along with Dan Seaman) co-conceived and (along with Jewel Blackfeather) co-organized the Slab City Slam at Arcosanti, now in its 5th year. Ira worked at Arcosanti for four years, two of those years as editor to Paolo Soleri. On the evening before the competition, theater company The Laboratory for Enthusiastic Collaboration, performed a play written by Ira, The Values Americans Live By, in the Colly Soleri Music Center.
[Photo: Jeff Kunzelman & text: sa]
Alumni Ira Murfin, Gaby Cryan, Aaron Kahn and Justin Dehnert --the Arco Originals--presented a poetry feature between rounds.
[Photo: Jeff Kunzelman & text: sa]
The Arcosanti Slam competition team: writer Jewel Blackfeather works in the Arcosanti Ceramics Studio, ...
[Photo: Jeff Kunzelman & text: sa]
... poet Krystofer Lanceaux is part of the Arcosanti Landscape crew,
[Photo: Yuki Yanagimoto & text: sa]
... Writer and poet Scott Riley is manager of Arcosanti Construction and Utilities. Also part of the Arcosanti team was alumnus Wes Ozier. The team, with dynamic performances from all members, placed 5th in the state-wide competition.
[Photo: Jeff Kunzelman & text: sa]
The 5th Annual POETRY SLAM was organized by Jewel Blackfeather and Ira Murfin, and once again with Grandmaster Dan Seaman in charge of the microphone. The competition was fast and furious, with some of the most intense poetry. Team X-Hosts from Mesa, team Mesa National, team Hang-over Express from Phoenix, team Loose Nuts from Phoenix, team Justice League from Phoenix, team Tucson, Prescott, team Flag Slam from Flagstaff, team NORAZ and the Arcosanti team competed for bragging rights and a trophy poured in bronze during a night pour in the Arcosanti Foundry on this same day.
[Photo & text: sa]
Paul Sprawl returned to Arcosanti to provide musical entertainment on Friday and Saturday evening. Other entertainment highlights were music by David Whitley and a Fire performance by Flam Chen.
[Photo: Yuki Yanagimoto & text: sa]
The audience was treated to a very funny Comedy Improv Feature by the Worlds Greatest Shakespeare Company.
[Photo & text: sa]
The event took place in the lovely setting of the Colly Soleri Music Center. A report on the Arco Team follows on 6/3.
[Photo & text: sa]