Learning to be better communicators

Hawkeye Richardson begins telling a story about a prehistoric shark from 20 million years ago. He explains that this shark, when it was alive, was the size of a semi tractor-trailer measuring in around 50 feet long and weighing 50,000 pounds. From a felt pouch, he slid out a palm-sized fossilized tooth belonging to one of those sharks, which was available to be held and touched. “As you think about this semi tractor-trailer truck out there and he had 350 of those in his mouth, you would have been a bite, not a meal, simply a little hors d’oeuvre on the side,” Richardson explained. “You’re subconscious mind goes into a very different mode of learning. You are now using all five of your senses to learn.” This form of learning, with using literally a hands-on approach, is what Richardson believes is lacking in today’s society as he works to show people how they can teach others using this method. Richardson’s formal career and background deals with marketing, marketing advertisement and management consulting in some form or another.  Through various job changes and schooling within his family, Richardson ended up in Oro Valley in 2003. “About a year and a half ago, I came to the realization that a lot of the things that I had done and were doing, we could kind of put around the concept of story telling in various forms.”

Heat brings out snakes and need for pool safety

Summer is just around the corner, and for many that means increased outdoor activities such as hiking and swimming. While such activities are common practice during the warmer Tucson months, Northwest Fire District spokesman Adam Goldberg reminds the public of the dangers that may come along with the heat, and the precautions that should be taken. This year, Northwest Fire District has responded to three water-related incidents, the most recent of which involved the death of a 3-year-old child who was found in a backyard swimming pool. The child was transported to a local hospital where attempts to revive her were unsuccessful.  The incident was the first Tucson drowning this year. Two other non-fatal water-related incidents have also been reported. In the drowning, a number of adults and other children were present at the household for a gathering. Goldberg said while more sets of eyes are often a good thing,  

Bee season is here, five attacked in Oro Valley

On Sunday, five hikers on Linda Vista Trail in Oro Valley were attacked by a swarm of bees. Pima County Sheriff’s Spokesman Jesus Banuelos said around 9:50 a.m. they received a call for assistance from the Golder Ranch Fire Department. Upon arrival, deputies learned that the hikers, which included a 6-year-old boy, had gone to some rock formations off the trail, making it difficult for rescuers to get to them. Banuelos said they called for helicopter assistance, to help the three deputies, equipped with bee suits, who had already gone to assist the hikers. The 6-year-old boy presented the most concerns, according to Banuelos. The boy was drifting in and out of consciousness, and had been stung more than 100 times. While working to rescue the hikers, Banuelos said one officer was also stung more than 30 times.

Traffic accident closes westbound Tangerine road from Oracle road

According to the Town of Oro Valley, a traffic collision at Oracle and Tangerine roads has resulted in temporary closure of some lanes while the area is cleared.  All Tangerine westbound lanes from Oracle are closed. Eastbound Tangerine is open with limited lanes; motorists should stay right. All north and southbound traffic along Oracle is open. Motorists should expect delays and are encouraged to avoid the area until around 4 p.m.

Marana to host blood drive

The American Red Cross and Town of Marana are hosting a blood drive June 18 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Marana Municipal Complex (11555 W. Civic Center Drive). Donating blood takes 45 to 60 minutes and you need not know your type in order to give. Each donor’s generosity has the potential to save three lives when the blood is distributed to local hospitals. To sign up, please visit www.redcrossblood.org and click on “Make a blood donation appointment.” Once there, search for the Marana drive and register to give.

IRHS goes to state

Sunrise Mountain’s Taylor Nowlin was reliving her last start in ASU’s Farrington Stadium — for two batters, anyway. A year after a blister on her pitching hand marred a Division II state 9-7 loss to Canyon Del Oro, Nowlin began the 2013 title game against the Dorados’ rival, Ironwood Ridge, allowing a walk, a stolen base and an infield single. Fellow SM senior Morgan Leonard called time. “She had nerves and I called time and went up to her. I said ‘Me and you, one last time.’ Then she did what she does,” Leonard said. “It means so much to us. Ever since that loss, we’ve put our hearts and dedication out there.” Nowlin struck out the next three batters to end the threat and, as it turned out, end the drama of Monday’s title game. The pitcher that’s baffled Division II for two years returned, sending down 16 Nighthawks in a row and only allowing one more base runner. Her fourth straight playoff shutout, plus a steady stream of hits to left field turned this championship competition into a coronation. No. 1 seed Sunrise Mountain (36-1) scored in the first inning and never looked back, lifting the trophy after a 7-0 win. “The first two got on and I was like, ‘Oh no, flashback from last year,’ but I kept looking back at my middle infielders and Morgan was calming me down,” Nowlin said. “We played the best game we have in a while.”

Saturday Puzzles 5-18-13

Authors from across the U.S. coming to Pima Writers' Workshop

Award-winning authors from across the country converge on Pima Community College later this month to inspire and encourage local writers at the 25thannual Pima Writers’ Workshop. The workshop provides aspiring novelists, essayists and poets the opportunity to hone their writing skills and learn about getting published as they meet with professional writers and agents. “Our goal is to provide workshop participants an opportunity to learn from and be inspired by published writers," said Meg Files, chair of PCC's West Campus English and Journalism department and organizer of the event. The workshop begins Thursday, May 23 with a meet-the-authors reception. Over the following three days, participants will explore numerous topics, such as writing fiction, nonfiction, novels and memoirs. It is open to all writers, beginning and experienced. The 11 authors participating in this year’s Pima Writers’ Workshop are: Dexter Booth, Kate Braverman, Gabrielle Burton, Tanya Chernov, Robert Gover, Debra Gwartney, Nancy Mairs, Illie Ruby, Malin Alegria Ramirez, Gordon Warnock and Orlando White. Past Pima Writers’ Workshops have been covered by the Tucson Sentinel and Arizona Daily Star. The workshop’s director, Meg Files, has also been profiled by the Star.

Winery to host free wine tasting at Fry's in Oro Valley on Friday

The Pleasant Valley Winery will be offering shoppers at the Fry’s Grocery Store a special wine-tasting opportunity on Friday, May 17. The Fry’s store is located at 10661 Oracle Road, in Oro Valley. The wine is being supplied by Pleasant Valley Winery, which is located in Young. The wine tasting will be held for shoppers between 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. Since 2000, we have been making wines in Pleasant Valley (Young, Arizona). Known for its beautiful vistas, cold mountain climate, rarefied air, and pure crystal waters, Young is also the home of the historic Graham-Tewksbury feud of 1886; the Pleasant Valley Range War was the bloodiest in American history.

Padres lose to Iowa 1-0

Tucson Padres Game Summary May 16, 2013 Iowa 1 Tucson 0 WP: Garza (1-0) LP: Richard (0-1) S: Raley (1)

IRHS goes to state

Sunrise Mountain’s Taylor Nowlin was reliving her last start in ASU’s Farrington Stadium — for two batters, anyway. A year after a blister on her pitching hand marred a Division II state 9-7 loss to Canyon Del Oro, Nowlin began the 2013 title game against the Dorados’ rival, Ironwood Ridge, allowing a walk, a stolen base and an infield single. Fellow SM senior Morgan Leonard called time. “She had nerves and I called time and went up to her. I said ‘Me and you, one last time.’ Then she did what she does,” Leonard said. “It means so much to us. Ever since that loss, we’ve put our hearts and dedication out there.” Nowlin struck out the next three batters to end the threat and, as it turned out, end the drama of Monday’s title game. The pitcher that’s baffled Division II for two years returned, sending down 16 Nighthawks in a row and only allowing one more base runner. Her fourth straight playoff shutout, plus a steady stream of hits to left field turned this championship competition into a coronation. No. 1 seed Sunrise Mountain (36-1) scored in the first inning and never looked back, lifting the trophy after a 7-0 win. “The first two got on and I was like, ‘Oh no, flashback from last year,’ but I kept looking back at my middle infielders and Morgan was calming me down,” Nowlin said. “We played the best game we have in a while.”

Macdonald wins big in track championships

For many athletes, winning state involves countless hours of hard practice, dedication and training. For Sarah Macdonald, practice is only part of the reason for her cross country and track successes. “We ask God to give us his legs and his mind throughout the race because it is only through him that we could do anything,” said Macdonald. “I dedicate my races to him because I could not do any of this without him.” Macdonald, a senior at Pusch Ridge Christian Academy, has run cross-country all four years of high school and track for the last three years. Her coach, Elmer Yazzie, noticed her natural talent and ability in running her freshmen year of cross country and the next year encouraged her to go out track.  Macdonald was not convinced right away, as she had thoroughly enjoyed playing tennis the previous year. “I didn’t want to run around in circles,” said Macdonald, referring to running around a track. “I was like, ‘I’ll try it out’ but was certain I’d go back to playing tennis the year after. But after that year of track I loved it and stuck with it.” Macdonald’s switch to track paid off. Her junior year she beat one of the best runners in Arizona at the Sabino Distance classic to finish first. It was that race that Macdonald said was the defining moment that she knew she loved running.