Riders In The Sky Bringing "The Cowboy Way" Back to Prescott

PRESCOTT, Ariz., November 10, 2008 - After more than 30 years on the trail, Grammy award winners and Western Music Association Entertainers of the Year Riders In The Sky bring their unique brand of western music and comedy back to the Yavapai College Performance Hall on Friday, November 21 at 7:30 p.m. The show is presented by Yavapai College Community Events and co-sponsored by the City of Prescott/Acker Trust; The Daily Courier; KDDL 94.3 FM; KVRD 105.7 FM; SpringHill Suites by Marriott; Yavapai Gaming Agency; and the Performing Arts Charitable Endowment (PACE).

For more than three decades, Riders In The Sky have traipsed all around the globe, delighting audiences as the world's foremost purveyors of "Comedy & Western" music. Riders In The Sky have been keepers of the flame passed on by the Sons of the Pioneers, Gene Autry and Roy Rogers, reviving and revitalizing the genre. And while remaining true to the integrity of Western music, they have themselves become modern-day icons by branding the genre with their own legendary wacky humor and way-out Western wit, and all along encouraging buckaroos and buckarettes to live life "The Cowboy Way!"

"I love coming back to Prescott because of the scenery, the breeze, the mountain light, and the great audiences, not to mention the swell steaks that guy grilled for us last time. Our music is a soundtrack for saddling up and riding 'high in the Sierry Petes,' as Gale Gardner put it, and it's wonderful to be coming back to Prescott, the heart of the West," said Too Slim, the band's upright "Bunkhouse" bassist.

As a classic cowboy quartet, Riders In the Sky are: guitarist Ranger Doug, upright "Bunkhouse" bassist Too Slim, Woody Paul "King of the Cowboy Fiddlers," and accordionist Joey "The CowPolka King."

"Riders In The Sky always look forward eagerly to performing in Prescott, the town where "Tying Knots in the Devil's Tail" was written in the days 'When an old cowpoke could oil up his ol' insides.'  Great audiences, beautiful theater, excellent sound, all in the heart of the west where our music just comes alive - what more could we ever want?" says Ranger Doug.

Returning to Prescott and the Yavapai College Performance Hall for the first time since 2006, Riders In The Sky has notched a pair of GRAMMY awards in their long run, and in 1982 were inducted into the Grand Ole Opry. No less important than their two Grammies, Riders have been the Western Music Association's "Entertainers Of the Year" seven times, and won "Traditional Group of the Year" and "Traditional Album of the Year" multiple times.

Tickets for this rollicking show are $25/$20 student/$20 for four or more. Tickets are available online at www.tickets.com (search for "Yavapai College"). Tickets may also be purchased at the YC Community Events Ticket Office (928-776-2000; toll-free 1-877-928-4253), located in the Lobby of the YC Performance Hall, Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The Yavapai College Performance Hall is located on the Prescott campus at 1100 E. Sheldon St.

PRESCOTT, AZ - John Nystedt, Fish and Wildlife Biologist, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Arizona Ecological Services Field Office will talk about "Habitat Conservation Plans and Endangered Species of the Verde River" when the Citizens Water Advocacy Group meets on Saturday, Nov. 8 from 10 AM to noon at the Granite Peak Unitarian Universalist Congregation, 882 Sunset in Prescott (two blocks behind True Value).

Nystedt will provide a basic overview of Habitat Conservation Plans (HCPs) and will answer questions such as: What is an HCP and what are some of its benefits? How is an HCP prepared? What is the definition of "take" under the Endangered Species Act? What is an Incidental Take Permit, why would someone want one, and how do you apply for one? He will also present information on threatened and endangered species of the Verde River and discuss past, present and potential future impacts on these species, specifically the impact of pumping from the Big Chino Aquifer, and why an HCP may be an important tool for addressing these impacts.

Nystedt worked for the Navajo Nation's Department of Fish and Wildlife for 15 years before moving to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in 2002. He consults with federal agencies to ensure compliance with the Endangered Species Act and works with private and tribal interests to promote conservation of threatened and endangered species. His geographic areas of responsibility include the Verde River and tribal lands in northern Arizona.

Guests are welcome! For more info, call 445-4218, email info@cwagaz.orgor visit www.cwagaz.org.

Prescott, AZ - Sept 26, 2008 - Wesley Smith, Director of Project Development for Global Water, will discuss "Total Water Management: Resource Conservation in the Face of Population Growth And Water Scarcity" when the Citizens Water Advocacy Group (CWAG) meets on Saturday, Oct. 11 from 10 a.m. to noon at the Granite Peak Unitarian Universalist Congregation, 882 Sunset in Prescott (two blocks behind True Value). Smith's presentation will include integrated systems, regional planning, and the economics of water reclamation and beneficial reuse. He will also discuss Public Private Partnerships (P3s), including updates on Global Water's current partnerships with the Cities of Maricopa, Casa Grande, and Eloy, as well as the Ak-Chin Indian Community.

CWAG believes Smith's topic is particularly relevant because The City of Prescott and the Town of Prescott Valley are currently considering public private partnerships as a means to finance the Big Chino pipeline.

Global Water was founded to aggregate and consolidate small to medium-sized water and wastewater utilities in the southwestern United States. Headquartered in Phoenix, Global Water has assembled a board of directors and investors with specific and relevant experience in utility consolidation, finance, and operations management.  "Global Water is committed to water reclamation and reuse, " says Smith. "Providing water begins with protecting it.  Even in the Desert Southwest, there's more than enough water for all, as long as everyone becomes smarter about conserving it."

For more info, call 445-4218, email info@cwagaz.org or visit www.cwagaz.org.

Prescott, AZ - Sept 25, 2008 - Arizona Aikido Katsu Jin Ken Dojo invites you to the opening of their new dojo in Prescott on Saturday, October 11 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 1201 Iron Springs Road. Observe the formal opening ceremony at 10 a.m., then enjoy an Open House featuring hourly demonstrations and an opportunity for practice time with high-ranking instructors from dojos throughout  Arizona. Refreshments will be served throughout the day.

As described on the dojo web page (www.prescottaikido.com), "Aikido is a 'Martial Art' and a 'Martial Way'. It is a tool that trains us to have clarity at the moment of truth and to act appropriately. It is the way we express our natural human dignity and say 'no' to violence. Aikido's founder Morihei Ueshiba, saw a way that warrior skills could be used to protect both the victim and the aggressor. This radical change in the context of martial training is the core of our practice."

Katsu Jin Ken Dojo offers classes for adults, children and families. For more information call Rafa at 717-6018 or visit www.prescottaikido.com. Please join us to observe or participate in this unique martial training.

Prescott Area Arts & Humanities Council presents the 4^th Annual "Fall Arts Festival and Studio Tour." The festivities kick off on September 26 with the 4^th Friday Art Walk and a theatre performance at the Elks Opera House.  Events continue through Sunday, September 28 with a FREE self-guided tour, featuring over 80 artist demonstrations, heritage and performing art groups in Prescott, AZ.

Artist Demonstrations & work for sale at 22 venues include: ceramics, jewelry, metal sculpture,  paper making, beeswax collage, silk scarf painting, gourd & ostrich egg art, painting techniques, photography, fired glass jewelry, polymer clay, leather work and earth & fiber art.  Both the Phippen and Smoki Museums will also offer FREE passes to view their exhibits on September 27 & 28.  Beginning September 5^th a sneak preview of work by participating artists will be on display in the Prescott Fine Arts Association "Celebrating Prescott Artists" exhibit. Events at Prescott College include the work-shopping of poetry readings, music, dance, and theatre performances.

Sharlot Hall Museum is host to a large variety heritage and family events on Saturday, September 27 with poetry, music, children's tea w/etiquette, Victorian hat contest, children's games, craft demonstrations, Victorian Christmas Ornament making and Victorian Hair Styling (for girls).

Pulitzer Prize winner of 2005, "DOUBT: A Parable" will be performed at the historic Elks Opera House on September 26 & 27^th. Access13 brings the weekend events to a close with its 2009 Film Festival Preview and fundraiser dinner on September 28.  Guests will enjoy a roof-top dining experience at the Hassayampa Inn, live shoot-out by the Prescott Regulators, the movie "Junior Bonner" at the Elks Opera House, and a special guest appearance by Jeb Rosebrook, writer of "Junior Bonner."  Ticket information for both events is available at www.elksoperahouse.com

Be sure to put this eclectic variety of exciting "Fall Arts Festival & Studio Tour" events on your calendar!

For more information visit www.prescottarts.com, or call (928)717-0628.

Event to Benefit for Women's Empowerment Breakthrough (WEB) Conference for Teen Girls

 Aug. 5, 2008 (Prescott, AZ)- Fabulous Females, the benefit concert and silent auction showcasing the many artists and performers in the community that support women, is slated for 7 p.m. Saturday, September 6th on Prescott's Courthouse Square. All are welcome free of charge. The silent auction will close at 9:30 p.m. and the concert will end at 10 p.m. For information contact Courtney Osterfelt at 928-350-1007 or Laura Prosseda at womensempowerment@prescott.edu.

Fabulous Females provides live entertainment for the whole family, showcasing performances by women and men in support of teenage girls as well as a showing of a short documentary on The Women's Empowerment Breakthrough Conference. The silent auction portion raises funds to send girls from low-income families to The WEB Conference.

This year's line up includes No Small Mangos, with Sarah Crews, Tim Crews, and Grace Burford, O' Allen Huddleston with Hip Hop Performance Art, and Troop Salamat with Belly Dancing Fire Dancing, and much more.

The Silent Auction will be held on the walkway by the timeline on the Courthouse Square. Some of the highlighted items include fine art from Bret Blevins and the Newman Gallery. In the last four years the Fabulous Females Silent Auction has raised $8,000 dollars for the WEB Scholarship Fund.

WEB hosts annual retreats, year round workshops, and educational events that address the current needs of young women in today's society. Since its inception WEB has served over 500 young women in Yavapai County.

ABOUT PRESCOTT COLLEGE

Prescott College offers a residential BA program at its main campus in Prescott, Arizona, as well as distance BA, MA, and PhD degrees. All programs emphasize student-directed, experience- based learning by doing, environmental and cultural awareness, and social responsibility. For more information please contact Mary Lin, M Ed, Director of Marketing and Public Relations, 928-350-4503, pr@prescott.edu. More information is on the web at prescott.edu.

Schlosberg  to speak about Environmental Justice and lead workshop,"Doing Justice to Nature" 

July 23, 2008(Prescott, AZ) - Internationally known author and professor David Schlosberg will present the keynote address, "Defining Environmental Justice," on Saturday, Aug. 16, 2008 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. for Prescott Colleges' Aug. Master of Arts Program Colloquium.He will also present a Keynote Workshop entitled "Doing Justice to Nature: A Capabilities Approach" the following morning, Sunday, Aug. 17, from 9 a.m. to 10:50 a.m. Both events are free of charge, open to all, and take place at the College's Crossroads Center, located behind the College's main buildings at 220 Grove Ave. More information and a complete colloquium schedule are available at http://www.prescott.edu/students/map/colloquium_current.html. For more information please contact Frank Cardamone at (928)-350-3218.

Schlosberg will examine how the term "environmental justice" is used in both self-described environmental justice movements and in theories of environmental and ecological justice, with a focus on the definition of the term as articulated by community groups.  While noting the importance of often-discussed concepts of equity and participation, many groups articulate their concerns in terms of a lack of recognition in both the political and social realms, and organize to preserve and defend the capabilities of both individuals and communities to design and live fully functioning lives.  Schlosberg explores the interrelationships between a number of different issues in the domestic and global environmental justice movements, including indigenous environmental justice, climate justice, and food security. 

David Schlosberg is Professor of Politics and International Affairs and Director of the Environmental Studies Program at Northern Arizona University.  He is known nationally and internationally for his work in environmental political theory, environmental justice, and environmental movements.  He has taught at the London School of Economics, has been Fulbright Senior Scholar in the Social and Political Theory Program at Australian National University, and is a Fellow of the Centre for Research in Environmental Action and Theory at Keele University in the UK. 

Schlosberg's books include Environmental Justice and the New Pluralism (Oxford 1999), Green States and Social Movements (Oxford 2003, co-authored with John Dryzek, Christian Hunold, and David Downes), Debating the Earth: The Environmental Politics Reader (Oxford 1998, 2nd edition 2005, co-edited with John Dryzek), Defining Environmental Justice (Oxford 2007), and, most recently, Environmentalism in the United States (Routledge 2008, co-edited with Elizabeth Bomberg).  He is currently at work co-editing The Oxford Handbook of Climate Change and Society.  

The Prescott College Master of Arts Program (MAP) Colloquia are offered four times a year. This colloquium features presentations by dozens of currently enrolled graduate students, advisors, and faculty across the MAP's five Program Areas: Education, Counseling & Psychology, Adventure Education, Humanities, and Environmental Studies. Many of the programs are open to the public. A complete colloquium schedule is available online at http://www.prescott.edu/students/map/colloquium_current.html.

ABOUT PRESCOTT COLLEGE

Prescott College offers a residential BA program at its main campus in Prescott, Arizona, as well as distance BA, MA, and PhD degrees. All programs emphasize student-directed, experience- based learning by doing, environmental and cultural awareness, and social responsibility. For more information please contact Mary Lin, M Ed, Director of Marketing and Public Relations, 928-350-4503, pr@prescott.edu. More information is on the web at prescott.edu.  

DIRECTIONS TO PRESCOTT COLLEGE

Directions: From I-17 southbound: HWY169 to right on 69. Follow 69 into Prescott. From I-17 northbound: HWY69 into Prescott. HWY69 becomes Gurley St. Continue past Courthouse square and turn right on Grove Ave (a few lights down). Take a left at Western Ave and immediate right onto alley.  Parking is to the left and right off the alley, and the Crossroads Center will be on almost immediately on your left.