Category Archives: The Arts

“Shot Heard ‘Round the World Day” is April 19

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PHOENIX — The world-class Ben Avery Shooting Facility will be the place to be Wednesday, April 19, a day when recreational shooters can join together to symbolize the first shot fired in 1775 to mark the beginning of the American Revolution, while enjoying a fun shooting event.

It will be 242 years to the day when the “Shot Heard ‘Round the World” was fired in the pre-dawn light in Lexington, Mass., between the colonial militia and British army, regarded as the start of the American Revolutionary War.

The inaugural event, being promoted at public shooting ranges across the nation, also will provide an opportunity to increase participation and boost the economic benefits that shooting sports provide. As recreational shooters check in and visit BASF’s small bore range from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., they will be connected to recreational shooting mentor groups and shooting industry manufacturers and retailers inside the nearby indoor air gun and archery building.

Whether or not a recreational shooter actively participates in hunting or angling, he or she contributes to the main source of funding for state wildlife conservation efforts through an excise tax placed on the purchase of shooting sports equipment and ammunition, as legislated by the Pittman-Robertson Act. Those funds also are spent on shooting sports projects, including the building of shooting ranges, and programs.

For more information about “Shot Heard ‘Round the World Day,” visit www.shotheardroundtheworldday.com.

For more information about the Ben Avery Shooting Facility, visit https://www.azgfd.com/Shooting/BASF/.

Hole in the wall on Railroad filled with Everything Arizona

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WILLIAMS – The hole in the wall at 126 Railroad Avenue is filled with another business. Everything Arizona brings a new look to the business atmosphere. This business, brought to Williams by Joanne and Virgil is useful to tourists and residents alike.

Everything Arizona can manufacture custom cups, T-shirts and sweatshirts, vinyl window lettering, metal pictures and signs and more. They also carry stuffed TY toys and other trinkets and collectibles. Everything Arizona can use your design or help you make one. They can put your picture on cups and are adding temporary tattoo painting. Most of the work can be completed in a couple of hours. Some may take a little longer to adjust the photos, such as on cups, but it is generally same day service.

Joanne said that many customers have come in to ask for Route 66 T-shirts with Williams, Arizona on them. Something they cannot find in other businesses. Everything Arizona is happy to oblige.

Virgil said they can work with non-profits and groups for special events.

Everything Arizona is located at 126 Railroad Avenue in Williams across the street from the visitor parking lot. If you or your organization has a need for custom-made T-shirts, cups, vinyl lettering or whatever, Check out Everything Arizona and save the shipping.

Vermont artist stops to capture Williams landmark

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charlie-hunter-02WILLIAMS — While walking the Ambassador today, we encountered Vermont artist Charlie Hunter putting the historic Babbit-Polson warehouse to canvas.

Charlie is in the area to attend the Sedona Plein Air festival. He had to go to Flagstaff to get supplies. He took a break in Williams and picked the Babbit-Polson building to put to canvas.

Only an artist could take a break from painting by stopping and painting.

Speaking with Charlie, I got the impression that he travels extensively. He had a good knowledge of some of the Route 66 history around Williams. He said he likes to paint real objects for people who cannot see the real thing.

His art includes subjects of interest to many in Williams; old trucks, railroad boxcars and old buildings. It would be interesting to see what he comes up with at the Sedona festival.

Kiss Every Step author visits Williams

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Kiss Every Step 2016-08-09 001 Williams had the opportunity, yesterday, to hear the story of a survivor of the concentration camps of Nazi Germany. Doris Martin came to Williams from Flagstaff with husband and co-author Ralph to sign copies of her book Kiss Every Step: A Survivor’s Memoir from the Nazi Holocaust at the Wild West Junction. Doris and Ralph also founded the Martin-Springer Institute at Northern Arizona University, whose purpose is to apply the lessons learned from the Holocaust to benefit Mankind.

Mayor John Moore stops by to speak with Doris, husband Ralph and others having lunch before the book signing.

Mayor John Moore stops by to speak with Doris, husband Ralph and others having lunch before the book signing.

Doris has been invited to speak at schools and other venues on her experience. Her whole family was among only about 125 Jewish survivors of her hometown of Bendzin. “We were blessed from God that our family was still together,” she said in her radio interview on KZBX in Williams.Kiss Every Step 2016-08-09 012
During her radio interview, she told the tale of her older brother who attempted to escape the Nazi regime. He attempted to escape Poland to the neighboring Soviet Union. He was caught by the Germans and when he was asked his name he gave his real name of Szpringer. He was beaten and thrown into a river and the Germans shot over his head. He managed to make it to Russia, but once there he was declared a German spy and sent to Siberia.

She related the terror inflicted by the Germans on the Poland Jews. They would be dragged from their homes on several occasions for various reasons and eventually sent back home. One time they were told to go to a stadium to get a stamp. They were told not to bring any food for the children because they were only going to get an identification stamp and would be sent back home.

They were taken to a stadium where the reality was much different. The whole town was herded into a stadium to receive the stamp.

“The whole town took the children, everybody to the stadium. But when we went into the stadium, it was not like that. We were only surrounded with the Nazis, with the German Shepherds, with the rifles,” she said in the interview. “We couldn’t go out from the stadium. And in the stadium was sitting a Nazi at a small table. And he would choose who should live, and who should die.”

Tuffy, the Wild West Junction mascot.

Tuffy, the Wild West Junction mascot.

The Nazis decided that children under the age of thirteen and those with handicaps would have to die. They divided up families into three groups and it is here, Doris said, that the miracles of God began to manifest. When it came to her family, the Nazis were done dividing the families for the day and her family was sent home.

The family lived on a second floor of an apartment building. When they returned home, her mother told them that they should kiss every step up to their apartment, which they did. That was where the title of the book came from.

Though they were eventually separated and Doris was sent to Auschwitz, her whole family survived and were reunited. Unfortunately their hometown of Bendzin no longer existed.

Her story of survival is told in her book Kiss Every Step which is available online at Amazon and is available at Barnes and Nobles in Flagstaff.

Nazi death camp survivor will sign books in Williams

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auschwitz_arrivee-2WILLIAMS — On September 1, 1939, the German army entered Poland after a false flag at a German radio station. In four days they took Bendzin; the hometown of 12-year-old Dora Szpringer. The Germans burned down a synagogue with about 200 Jews inside. While most Jews in the town were killed, the entire family of Dora Szpringer survived the war.

Now Doris Martin will be here in Williams August 9th to sign copies of her book, Kiss Every Step—the story of that survival.

The book signing is being arranged by Cosette Riggs who is arranging a radio interview. “This is going to be a great opportunity and maybe the last for any of you that want to, to meet a survivor of the Prison camps,” Cossette said. “Our children should be told what happened to these millions of people and we should never forget. ”

Doris will conduct a radio interview on Tuesday, August 9 at 11:30 on KZBX 92.1 FM. She will sign copies of her book at the Wild West Junction dining hall at 1 p.m.

Artwork and Poetry from Inmates of Coconino Jail to be Showcased at Local Coffee House

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500-Art2FLAGSTAFF — More than thirty artistic drawings and sketches created by individuals while they were in-custody at the Coconino County Jail will be on display at Firecreek Coffee located at 22 East Route 66, Flagstaff, Arizona. The event will take place on Friday, March 25, 2016 from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm and is open to the public free of charge. This event also will highlight a compilation of poems and literary pieces completed by inmates titled “My Self Portrait.”

The art and poetry are from inmates enrolled in the Coconino County Detention Facility Exodus program which is an in-custody substance abuse treatment program for men and women detained within the jail. Goals of the Exodus Program include:

• Reduce the impact substance abuse has on our community.
• Provide therapeutic and educational services to assist addicted inmates in making the decision to avoid future alcohol or drug consumption.
• Enhance inmates’ ability to make positive changes in their lives.
• Strengthen families, reduce recidivism and provide a proactive response to alcohol and substance abuse related crimes.
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The Exodus Program incorporates parenting classes, health education, creative writing, expressive art classes, stress management training and other life skills lessons that are provided by staff and outside agencies. Our on-staff art and creative writing teacher recognized the extraordinary artistic talent possessed by many of the men and women who participate in the Exodus Program. The Sheriff’s Office hopes this art display will enlighten community members as to the value and abilities of many of our inmates.

We would like to thank Bookmans Entertainment Exchange, Hidden Light Framing and Firecreek Coffee for their vision to see the value of this project and for their support and contributions.

Please visit the Coconino Sheriff Facebook page to get a preview of some of the art that will be showcased.

Williams Alpine Harvest Festival in full swing

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Folks enjoy a scare at Scarizona.

Folks enjoy a scare at Scarizona.

Williams Wear always has the scariest scarecrow. GMO Scarecorn.

Williams Wear always has the scariest scarecrow. GMO Scarecorn.

WILLIAMS — The Grand Canyon Railway Pumpkin Patch Train is running every weekend Friday through Sunday. At Bearizona they have a scary haunted house and decorations for their Howly Growly Owly festival.

After enjoying the aforementioned events, you can enter for a chance to win a Scarecrow Contest Prize Basket to be drawn for on November 1.

The scarecrows are fun, but not all of the businesses decorated, this year, are on the list. Some are just decorated with great fall decorations. The Open Road Cowboy on Route 66 made me go into video mode.

Pick up a form at one of the listed businesses or the Williams Visitor Center. Get signatures from at least 10 of the 15 businesses for signatures.
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Take the completed form to the Williams Visitor Center on Railroad Avenue across the street from Circle K to enter the contest.

Decorations at Allstate Insurance not complete, yet. Check them out in a couple of days.

Decorations at Allstate Insurance not complete, yet. Check them out in a couple of days.

This scarecrow at the Williams Library a bigger problem than too little time. How about too little eyes?

This scarecrow at the Williams Library a bigger problem than too little time. How about too little eyes?

Our competition even decorated. We were going to post a scarecrow of our editor at deadline. But that would be too much competition for the amateurs.

Our competition even decorated. We were going to post a scarecrow of our editor at deadline. But that would be too much competition for the amateurs.

First Baptist Church hosts movie night Saturday

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believeWILLIAMS — The First Baptist Church of Williams is hosting a viewing of the movie Do You Believe this Saturday, September 19 at 5:30. They ask that you RSVP at their office or by signing the sheet at their table in the sanctuary of the Church to ensure enough snacks and drinks. The Church is located on Grant Street behind the Safeway. Their phone number is 928-635-4692.

ADEQ: Lake Powell safe for all uses

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PHOENIX — As the Labor Day holiday weekend approaches, Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) officials announced today that their analysis of water entering Lake Powell shows that the lake is safe for normal uses.

“ADEQ wants Arizona residents and visitors to know that Lake Powell is safe for Labor Day recreational activities including swimming and boating,” said ADEQ Water Quality Division Director Trevor Baggiore. “ADEQ and the multiple cooperating agencies are reviewing and analyzing new information as it becomes available as part of our everyday work to protect Arizona’s waters,” he added.

Scientists and specialists from several Arizona agencies have been and are continuing to monitor and assess data related to the mine spill. Arizona’s cooperating agencies agree that Lake Powell and the downstream Colorado River are safe for all uses including recreation and agriculture as well as a drinking water source for public water systems.

To establish baseline water quality, ADEQ conducted water quality sampling on August 12, 2015. Test results of these samples are consistent with historic water quality data from Lee’s Ferry (downstream of Glen Canyon Dam). These results, along with ADEQ’s data analysis of water entering Lake Powell (San Juan River test data collected by Utah) are available for review on the Arizona cooperating agencies’ Gold King Mine spill information website: https://ein.az.gov/gold-king-mine-spill-response, located on the Arizona Emergency Information Network (AZEIN) website.

As part of the ongoing water quality monitoring and assessment work, the Arizona Game and Fish Department is collecting and testing fish tissue and water quality samples from the Arizona portion of Lake Powell. As new test results become available, ADEQ will compare them with Arizona surface water quality standards and historical data to support water quality protection efforts and continue to share updated information on the AZEIN website.

Political activist Williams Lewis passes away

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William-Lewis-1Political film maker Williams Lewis passed away on August 29 at about 1 a.m. at the age of 47. No official word on the cause of death has been announced. It is believed that he suffered from diabetes and may have had a stroke. He is survived by his wife Debbie Morgan Lewis and children.

According to the LiveLeak web site:

According to Williams wishes he wanted very little fanfare to be made in his passing, so Debbie will be having a small private family memorial and funeral later this week to honor the life & times of William Lewis, beloved husband and father.

Lewis was also a musician beginning his career in Shreveport, Louisiana working with legendary music producer Stan Lewis of Jewel Records. Working with Stan, Lewis designed cover art for over 300 music artists such as Nat Stuckey, B B King, Ike and Tina Turner, and Jerry Beach.

As a music writer and producer in the 1990’s, he worked along side Anne Stuckey, wife of the late country singer Nat Stuckey and actor John Fertitta (actor: Mississippi Burning, Blaze, Delta Heat). He also developed a state-of-the-art digital video production facility.

In 2001 Lewis started producing the American Freedom News which grew to an international program covering issues concerning the intrusive nature of global governance. In 2003 he created William Lewis Films which produced documentaries exposing government intrusions on the Constitution, the Bill of Rights and some secret government projects. He produced films such as Beyond Treason, One Nation Under Siege, Enemy of the State and Don’t Tread On Me.

Arizona patriotic musician Gianluca Zanna expressed condolences on his Facebook page saying:

I had the honor to work with William Lewis, who used one of my songs Don’t Tread on US for his documentary “Don’t tread on me”
He is survived by a wonderful wife, Debbie Morgan Lewis. In the last few years William was unable to continue work in film because of his illness.
My prayers for his soul and his family.

Films:
Peddling Influence (Documentary)
2012 The Ron Paul Uprising (Documentary)
2011 Blood of Patriots (Video documentary)
2010 Don’t Tread on Me (Documentary)
2010 Enemy of the State: Camp FEMA Part 2 (Documentary)
2009 Camp FEMA (Documentary)
2009 Life on the Edge of a Bubble (Video documentary)
2008 Washington You’re Fired (Video documentary)
2007 911 Ripple Effect (Video documentary)
2006 One Nation Under Siege (Video documentary)
2005 Beyond Treason (Video documentary)
2004 911 in Plane Site (Video documentary)