#Sonoran Institute

[libertarian-druid-ny-separatist]

Thinking about signing up for classes then getting a job at either a gun shop or a firearms manufacturer.

[fatehbaz]

In the March 1923 issue of National Geographic, a sketch of a tired-looking businessman invites the reader to the Tucson Sunshine-Climate Club. In the accompanying text, Benj. Lowe -- the archetype of the tired, busy, urban, white businessman -- attempts to coax all the other Benj. Lowes out there on the East Coast to recover from their unhealthy lifestyles by spending some time in Tucson, Arizona:

That night, for the first time in his hard-working, rushing life, Lowe came to himself. No vacations for ten years. Heavy responsibilities. Making money? Yes. Now on the verge of breakdown. What was it all worth, anyway? And then his eyes fell on a booklet his worried wife had sent for. It was “Man-Building in the Sunshine-Climate.” …Perhaps you, like Lowe, may find in “Man-Building in the Sunshine-Climate” the clue to robust health.

This form of health tourism began to appear in journal and newspaper advertisements not long after Tucson was originally incorporated as a city, in 1877. A promotional item published in the Arizona Daily Star in 1890 even went so far as to designate Tucson a place to cure serious pulmonary diseases. The rhetoric in these advertisements often framed the Sonoran Desert as “empty,” a place to be “discovered,” as if the Western lands of the continent had remained unoccupied and untouched all along. The process of “Man-Building” advertised by the Sunshine-Climate Club, therefore, carries a double meaning: building oneself and building one’s environment. [...]

With the proliferation of advertisements in magazines such as Ladies Home Journal and Journal of American Medical Association, a large number of [...] tourists [...] arrived to discover what the desert could offer. [...]

Throughout the late-nineteenth and early twentieth century, hospitals, sanatoria, health resorts, and other structures dedicated to medical treatment multiplied throughout the city of Tuscon [...]. These buildings were not in isolation, in the manner of nineteenth-century sanatoria in Europe or New England. Instead, they were open and integrated into the urban fabric [...]. In the late nineteenth century, upstate New York was among the most popular destinations for pulmonary health pilgrimages. With the opening of the Southern Pacific Railroad in 1880, however, towns with dry climates -- whose “pure and dry air … was not subject to severe seasonal changes” -- started bringing in crowds. [...]

Tucson reached its peak as the “health capital” during the 1930s, when the city’s roughly 30,000 residents were joined by about 10,000 health tourists visiting its twenty-one sanatoria, four hospitals, and four luxury hotels during the peak season. [...]

By 1928, Tucson’s planning and zoning commission had developed a new zoning system for such developments. Spatial buffers were instituted for sanatoria to ensure proper ventilation and isolation, dramatically altering the density and porosity of the city. In a residential neighborhood, for example, sanatoria had to be “set back 200 feet from the property line” and could only occupy “20 percent of the lot.” [...]

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Sanatoria quickly became a refuge only the rich could afford [...].

Tucson’s Desert Sanatorium was a massive complex of eleven buildings built in 1926 spread out over 160 acres. [...] Telescopic devices called radiometers were housed on the roof of the main hospital building, channeling and directing sunlight through small lenses into the treatment rooms and sunbaths below. The sanatorium’s research center, hospital, and nurse’s residences were scattered across the site [...]. Each patient’s room was annexed to a small wooden balcony visible on the façade. Wet spaces were tiled and interiors white-washed, with baseboards curving away from the walls to prevent dust from settling on their surfaces. Window openings or balconies were carved out from the massive, Pueblo-style exterior walls. The Pueblo style also appears in the interior common spaces as Navajo carpets, mural reproductions, and quilts. Patient’s rooms were named after native tribes such as Pima, Papago, and Navajo. [...] The appropriation of indigenous culture and symbols persisted in the visual language of the Desert Sanatorium. One patient handbook came with a postcard featuring an image of a highly cultivated Navajo garden, and a description of the Sanatorium’s services and facilities adorned with sketches of a “teepee,” “rain cloud,” “thunderbird tracks,” “broken arrow,” “mountain range,” and “bear track.” The symbol of eagle feathers is placed alongside the welcome note by the director to denote his status as “chief” of the complex. The last page of the handbook even contains a personal message from the illustrator, in which he wishes that “each little figure brings happiness … and a very quick recovery. May the Great Spirit Bless and Protect you.”

Despite the generous application of native iconography and mythology in the sanatorium’s literature, few measures were taken to actually care for the infected people in local indigenous communities. By the early twentieth century, indigenous communities, along with other poor minority groups in Arizona had the highest rate of tuberculosis in the region. [...] Carlisle Indian School dedicated an issue of [...] [their] magazine to provide news and guidelines to counter the disease. [...] These analyses are accompanied by photographs of the architectural conditions of the buildings. [...] The issue further suggests the American Indians whose lifestyle shifted from the “more sanitary teepee to the one and two-room box house” could not keep up with hygiene. The magazine sought to enable the “medicine man” to cure the sick [...] but not, however, without yielding to an institutional form of governmentality. The narratives [...] yielded to the top-down institutional logic of controlling bodies by prescribing protocols. [...]

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The disease, then, is not only a medical construct, but is firstly an environmental construct shaped by the climatic imaginaries which, in turn, shapes the urban context. Secondly, it is a social construct that privileges a certain lifestyle and class through its contagion and access to treatment. Lastly, it is a political construct, as it perpetuates the asymmetrical relationship between communities in the eye of the government and institutions. Amid these racial and economic imbrications, architecture is instrumentalized to facilitate institutional agendas. [...] Architecture perpetuates violence against the figure of the other.

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Text by: Gizem Sivri. “Desert Fever: Harvesting the Sun, Colonizing the Land.” e-flux (Sick Architecture series). December 2020. [Screenshots were edited by me and display only part of the advertisement, which is shown in its entirety in Sivri’s article. Caption is as it appears in Sivri’s article. Bold emphasis and some paragraph breaks/contractions added by me.]

[mehundmeh]

[darkeagleruins]

More election year bs

[nataliehegert]

At the International UFO Museum in Roswell, New Mexico, a group of grey-skinned, silver clad extraterrestrials stand rigid under a metal flying saucer that periodically emits a cloud of vapor from its base. The ground under the aliens’ feet is made to look like rocky desert soil, with plastic cacti and yucca plants interspersed with real rocks and fake rocks, while a replica of a juniper tree partially obscures the metal stand that holds the spaceship aloft. The photo backdrop, instead of depicting the local scenery of Roswell, where the High Plains of the Llano Estacado drop off into the Chihuahuan Desert, erroneously places the figures in the Sonoran Desert, indicated by the presence of a few tall saguaro cacti.

Museum exhibits recount the story of the purported UFO crash in 1947 in a field just outside of Roswell and the subsequent theories of military coverups, alien autopsies, and actual top-secret government surveillance programs. A kind of 20th century folklore unfolds in the chronicling of close encounters of the first, second, and third kind: flying saucer sightings around the globe, reports of strange psychological effects and missing gaps of time, and (wildly) various sketches of alien lifeforms that people claim to have seen.

Outside the museum, one encounters little green men everywhere. On benches, in restaurants, on signs and lampposts.

Before the UFO Museum opened in the 90s the Roswell Incident mythology lay somewhat dormant, staying alive only in the inquisitive imaginations of the UFO obsessed. The museum now welcomes thousands of visitors a year, the linchpin of the city’s new identity as a mecca for alien tourism.

Artist Eric J. García came to Roswell for a year-long stay at the Roswell Artist-in-Residence program and found the critical mass of aliens “seeped” into his brain and started showing up in his artwork. “I started questioning, who’s the alien? Who’s from here, not from here?”

García, who is known for his graphic style and political cartoons, grew up in Albuquerque and got his BFA from the University of New Mexico with a minor in Chicano Studies, and then his MFA from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. Before that, he served in the Air Force for four and a half years.

He emerged from his service in a state of disillusionment. By that I mean he became aware of the “illusion” that the U.S. projected abroad and to its own citizenry. “Texas, the Alamo, the West, the idea of the cowboy, the frontier, [other] iconic Americana myths, these are super embedded,” he says.

The myth-building was on display in Roswell in an extremely conspicuous way: in the form of flying saucers and alien caricatures, all in service of tourism to the small Eastern New Mexico city. But it was all a grand distraction from the real truth, García found. Aliens were here, and they had in fact colonized the place.

In Roswell, I used to see these tourist shirts with an alien wearing a sombrero and serape, indicating that people from south of the border are not from here, are alien, are not human. Whereas there are many people crossing that border speaking Indigenous languages…They are from the Americas but now we’re calling them aliens.

In García’s video Alien Juxta (2021), he blends popular science-fiction images of extraterrestrials with “actual aliens”—juxtaposing Alf with Christopher Columbus, flying saucers with colonial ships. Even the language sounds sci-fi: the New World and the Old World. The Final Frontier.

Working with artist and video game designer Rafael Fajardo, García adapted the classic arcade game of Space Invaders, replacing the space aliens with cowboys, cannons, and cathedrals—symbols of American colonization. As the game player, you are an Indigenous person, shooting the invaders with a bow and arrow. “I want people to understand these perspectives,” García says, “that the colonial powers were not always here. There were a people here before you.”

To impress his message, García utilizes tactics of humor, satire, subversion, and a graphic style reminiscent of cartoons and the nostalgia of early video games. In his ink drawings, he often breaks down an image into basic geometric blocks, mimicking 8-bit graphics, a super-simplification of image and idea.

These tech-y icons, however, García renders in an ancient and Indigenous medium—cochineal ink, made from insects that inhabit the nopal cactus. When the Spanish brought cochineal back to Europe from the Americas, it became a phenomenon—carmine red. García also makes his own ink from the fruit of the nopal, the bright violet-pink of the prickly pear tuna, which is vivid and pretty, but unstable and lends itself to erasure if exposed to sunlight.

In Game Over (2023), García employs blood-red cochineal ink to depict the 1945 detonation of the first atomic bomb, the Trinity test, in the Tularosa Basin of New Mexico. Departing from the blocky 8-bit motif, a cloud billows up and away from the X on the map, indicating the lasting effects of fallout drifting across the surrounding region and up into the atmosphere. The moment the world entered the Anthropocene, according to some. GAME OVER, indeed.

During his service in in the Air Force, “working in the belly of the beast,” García came to learn the global extent of the U.S. military presence. He reflects on the pervasive myth of the benevolence and judiciousness of the U.S. empire, and how embedded the military-industrial complex actually is in our society:

I grew up completely militarized. I played G.I. Joes, I read G.I. Joe comics, I watched Rambo action movies, I played military video games, I was constantly being exposed to militarism, right here in Albuquerque with the Kirtland Air Force Base. Every day around six o’clock the Air Force chopper would fly over like clockwork. I was constantly bombarded.

His brother joined the military before him. It was understood that military service was a way out and a way to get to college. He says, “It was inevitable that I would join.”

Aim High is a recruiting slogan for the Air Force, but it also refers to García’s ultimate target when it comes to his artwork. He has his sights set on the biggest forces in the game: imperialism, colonialism, militarism, white supremacy.

With satire and wit, García exposes the construction of reality proffered by the powerful, the alien empire embedded in this land. Their narrative has evolved over the centuries, from the Doctrine of Discovery, to Manifest Destiny, to Make America Great Again or Build Back Better. But, with a blast from a ray gun, an arrow from a bow, or a stroke of the pen, García blows their cover, explodes their myths.

Eric J. García: Mythbuster, published as a fold-out gallery text on the occasion of the artist’s exhibition at Texas Tech University’s Landmark Gallery, February 17 - April 21, 2024.

[ajetromat]

Unveiling the Essence of Cleanliness: Commercial Cleaning Services in Phoenix

Phoenix, Arizona, is a lively town amid the Sonoran Desert, where sunsets paint the sky in orange and purple. In the middle of sprawling cities and tall buildings, companies thrive in an environment where standards of cleanliness and sanitation are just as important as profits. The commercial cleaning services are the unsung heroes that keep workstations spotless in this oasis in the desert. These committed experts are essential to Phoenix's companies as they keep their surroundings immaculate and showcase the city's dedication to excellence.

Phoenix's Commercial Cleaning Services' Critical Role

Phoenix is renowned for its scorching temperatures and dry environment, where waste and dust are commonplace. In a setting like this, cleanliness is an asset and a must. Phoenix's commercial cleaning services are committed to maintaining the highest standards of cleanliness across the city's varied business environment because they recognize this fundamental reality.

Commercial cleaning services serve a diverse clientele, each with specific cleaning requirements, from corporate offices to retail stores, medical facilities, and educational institutions. Whether you need regular housekeeping services, floor maintenance, or speciality disinfection, these pros have the knowledge and tools to do the job well. Their meticulous attention to detail guarantees that every surface is clean, fostering an atmosphere that exudes professionalism and confidence.

Customized Approaches for Every Industry

Phoenix's commercial cleaning services are known for their ability to provide specialized solutions catering to each customer's unique requirements. Since companies are all different, these experts collaborate closely with their customers to create customised cleaning programs tailored to meet their needs.

Adherence to hygiene regulations is crucial for companies in highly regulated sectors like healthcare and food service. Commercial Cleaning Services Phoenix are well-versed in these fields and recognize the value of following tight guidelines. They guarantee that facilities meet and surpass hygiene requirements by using methods and cleaning chemicals certified by the industry, giving customers and company owners peace of mind.

Embracing Sustainability and Innovation

As environmental consciousness grows, sustainability is becoming a top priority for companies in all sectors of the economy. Phoenix's commercial cleaning services follow suit, using green cleaning products and eco-friendly procedures to reduce their adverse environmental effects.

These experts are dedicated to minimizing their carbon impact while producing superb results, from using energy-efficient cleaning methods to utilizing biodegradable cleaning supplies. Furthermore, the cleaning business has revolutionised because of technological breakthroughs that have made cleaning procedures more effective and efficient. The latest innovations in commercial cleaning services in Phoenix include robotic cleaners, UV-C disinfection systems, and sophisticated filtering systems.

Encouraging Safety and Health

More than ever, the COVID-19 epidemic raised awareness of health and safety issues in the general population. Commercial cleaning services were essential in Phoenix to assist companies in overcoming the epidemic's obstacles.

These experts played a crucial role in establishing secure and hygienic surroundings for staff members and clients by putting improved cleaning procedures into place and routinely disinfecting high-touch areas. As companies started to reopen, their proactive stance helped slow the virus's spread and gave the community confidence.

Considering the Future: Phoenix's Commercial Cleaning Services

The need for business cleaning services will only increase as Phoenix develops and grows. However, elements including developing customer requirements, shifting regulatory environments, and technology innovation will influence the industry's future.

Cleaning firms will prosper in the competitive market if they embrace sustainability, make training and development investments, and adapt to new trends. Commercial cleaning services will also become more crucial to the city's success and economic development as companies value hygiene and cleanliness.

To sum up, commercial cleaning services are the hidden heroes of Phoenix's cleanliness, ensuring that establishments around the city radiate professionalism and hygienic practices. These experts contribute significantly to creating secure, sanitary, and welcoming spaces that foster confidence and achievement via their commitment to quality, competence, and devotion.

[kimrimsza]

Volunteer Opportunities in Phoenix: Giving Back to the Community

Phoenix, the vibrant heart of the Sonoran Desert, is renowned for its warm climate, stunning landscapes, and thriving community spirit. For those looking to give back and make a positive impact, the city offers many volunteer opportunities catering to various interests and causes.

1. Community Gardens and Urban Farming:

Phoenix is home to numerous community gardens and urban farming initiatives that promote sustainability and provide fresh produce to residents. Volunteers can get their hands dirty, learn about gardening, and contribute to creating green spaces that enhance the city's environmental resilience.

2. Homeless Outreach Programs:

To address homelessness, several organizations in Phoenix run outreach programs that provide essential services to those in need. Volunteers can participate in distributing meals, organizing clothing drives, or assisting in resource centers, contributing to the well-being of the homeless population.

3. Animal Shelters and Rescues:

For animal lovers, Phoenix shelters and rescue organizations welcome volunteers to help care for and socialize with animals awaiting forever homes. From walking dogs to assisting with adoption events, volunteers are essential in improving pets' quality of life and fostering a compassionate community.

4. Educational Initiatives:

Many schools and educational institutions in Phoenix welcome volunteers to support students and teachers. Whether assisting in classrooms, tutoring, or participating in literacy programs, volunteers contribute to shaping the future by investing in the education of the city's youth.

5. Environmental Conservation Projects:

The desert environment surrounding Phoenix is unique and fragile. Volunteers interested in conservation can engage in trail maintenance, habitat restoration, and desert cleanups. These initiatives contribute to preserving the natural beauty that defines the region.

6. Senior Assistance Programs:

Numerous organizations in Phoenix focus on improving the quality of life for seniors. Volunteers can offer companionship, assist with daily activities, or participate in senior center programs, fostering a sense of community and support for older people.

7. Arts and Culture Events:

Phoenix's vibrant arts and culture scene often relies on volunteers to assist in organizing events, exhibitions, and festivals. Volunteers contribute to the city's cultural richness, from helping at museums to participating in community art projects.

8. Food Banks and Meal Programs:

Volunteers can join efforts to combat food insecurity and contribute to food banks and meal programs that serve vulnerable populations. Sorting and packing food and participating in distribution efforts are crucial in addressing hunger in the community.

9. Disaster Relief and Preparedness:

For those passionate about helping in times of crisis, Phoenix has organizations dedicated to disaster relief and preparedness. Volunteers can receive training and be ready to assist during emergencies, providing essential support to those affected.

10. Health and Wellness Initiatives:

Supporting public health initiatives, volunteers can participate in programs that promote wellness and preventive care. From organizing fitness events to assisting in health screenings, volunteers contribute to building a healthier and more resilient community.

In conclusion, Phoenix's volunteer opportunities reflect the city's commitment to community well-being and inclusivity. Volunteers positively impact and become integral parts of a town that values collaboration, compassion, and community spirit by actively engaging in these initiatives.

[steavethomas]

Tempe, AZ: A Guide to Living, Working, and Thriving in the Valley of the Sun

Introduction: Nestled in the Valley of the Sun, Tempe, Arizona, is a city that seamlessly blends urban sophistication with a vibrant, laid-back atmosphere. Known for its diverse cultural scene, educational institutions, and a thriving business community, Tempe offers a unique lifestyle against the backdrop of the stunning Sonoran Desert. In this guide, we'll explore what makes Tempe special, from its cultural attractions to outdoor adventures and everything in between.

Educational Hub: Home to Arizona State University, Tempe stands out as a major educational hub. The university's vibrant campus, innovative programs, and diverse student body contribute to the city's dynamic atmosphere. Whether you're a student or a lifelong learner, Tempe's educational opportunities are vast and varied.

Cultural Hotspot: Tempe boasts a rich cultural scene with an array of theaters, galleries, and museums. The ASU Gammage, a Frank Lloyd Wright-designed performing arts venue, hosts Broadway shows and musical performances. Additionally, the Tempe Center for the Arts and the ASU Art Museum contribute to the city's cultural vibrancy.

Tempe Town Lake: A central feature of Tempe's landscape, Tempe Town Lake is a recreational haven. With walking and biking paths, boat rentals, and picturesque views of the surrounding mountains, the lake provides a serene escape in the heart of the city. Residents and visitors alike can enjoy outdoor activities and events along the lake's shores.

Mill Avenue District: The historic Mill Avenue District is the pulse of Tempe's social scene. Lined with shops, restaurants, and entertainment venues, Mill Avenue offers a lively atmosphere day and night. It's the perfect place to explore local boutiques, dine in diverse eateries, or catch live music at one of the many venues.

Innovative Business Community: Tempe is a hub for innovation and entrepreneurship, with a growing tech sector and a supportive business environment. Companies large and small thrive in this city, contributing to its economic vitality. The Tempe Marketplace and the ASU Research Park are key hubs for business and innovation.

Outdoor Adventures: Nature lovers will appreciate Tempe's proximity to outdoor wonders. Just a short drive away, the Papago Park offers hiking trails, picnic areas, and the famous Hole-in-the-Rock formation. South Mountain Park, one of the largest municipal parks in the U.S., provides additional opportunities for hiking and enjoying panoramic views of the city.

Tempe Diablo Stadium: For sports enthusiasts, Tempe Diablo Stadium is the spring training home of the Los Angeles Angels. Baseball fans can catch exciting games and enjoy the laid-back atmosphere of America's favorite pastime in the Arizona sun.

Festivals and Events: Tempe hosts a variety of festivals and events throughout the year, celebrating everything from arts and culture to food and music. The Tempe Festival of the Arts, the Four Peaks Oktoberfest, and the Tempe Music Walk are just a few examples of the city's lively event calendar.

Conclusion: Tempe, AZ, offers a unique blend of cultural richness, outdoor beauty, and a thriving business community. Whether you're a resident enjoying the local amenities or a visitor exploring the city's diverse attractions, Tempe's dynamic and welcoming atmosphere makes it a standout destination in the Valley of the Sun. Explore, experience, and embrace all that Tempe has to offer – it's a city where living, working, and thriving converge in the Arizona desert.

[thrivingmindsacademy]

Discovering the Gems: Top Neighborhoods of Apache Junction, AZ

Apache Junction, Arizona, is a charming desert city nestled in the heart of the Sonoran Desert. Known for its breathtaking landscapes, vibrant culture, and warm community, Apache Junction offers an array of unique neighborhoods that cater to various lifestyles. In this blog, we'll explore the top neighborhoods that make Apache Junction a desirable place to live, each with its own distinct characteristics and attractions.

Ironwood Forest National Monument

This Ironwood Forest National Monument is made up of 129,000 acres and contains a significant system of cultural and historical sites covering a 5,000-year period. Possessing one of the richest stands of ironwood in the Sonoran Desert, the monument also encompasses several desert mountain ranges including the Silver Bell, Waterman, and Sawtooth, with desert valleys in between.

Elevation ranges from 1,800 to 4,261 feet. Three areas within the monument, the Los Robles Archeological District, the Mission of Santa Ana del Chiquiburitac and the Cocoraque Butte Archeological District are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

The monument is a travel corridor for illegal immigrants traveling from Mexico. All suspected illegal activities should be reported to BLM or local law enforcement authorities. Stay safe by avoiding contact with persons exhibiting suspicious behavior or engaged in dangerous activities. Drive with caution and look for fast-moving vehicles and pedestrians on back roads. Some roads are rugged: high clearance or four-wheel-drive vehicles are recommended in those areas.

San Marcos, Texas

San Marcos is a city and the county seat of Hays County, Texas, United States. The city is a part of the Greater Austin Metropolitan Area. San Marcos's limits extend into Caldwell and Guadalupe Counties, as well. San Marcos is on the Interstate 35 corridor between Austin and San Antonio.

In the city, the population was distributed as 15.4% under 18, 41.9% from 18 to 24, 24.8% from 25 to 44, 10.7% from 45 to 64, and 7.2% who were 65 or older. The median age was 23 years. For every 100 females, there were 96.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.4 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $25,809, and for a family was $37,113. Males had a median income of $25,400 versus $22,953 for females. The per capita income for the city was $13,468. About 13.8% of families and 28.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 22.1% of those under age 18 and 15.1% of those age 65 or over.

StarCare’s Sunrise Canyon Hospital

StarCare’s Sunrise Canyon Hospital is the state designated Local Authority for mental health and intellectual disabilities in Lubbock, Lynn, Hockley, Cochran and Crosby counties and the Local Authority for substance use disorders for 41 counties in the West Texas region. 

StarCare is also a Texas Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) and provides adult inpatient psychiatric services at Sunrise Canyon Hospital. StarCare is also proud to provide veteran support services via VetStar, aging services via the Program of All Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) delivered by Silver Star, and much more!   

Like our 38 sister centers across the state, StarCare’s beginning is founded in President John F. Kennedy’s signing into law the Community Mental Health Act (also known as the Mental Retardation and Community Mental Health Centers Construction Act of 1963), which authorized federal grants for construction of public or nonprofit community mental health centers to provide inpatient, outpatient, partial hospitalization, emergency care and consultation/education services. This law helped people with mental illnesses who were “warehoused” in hospitals and institutions move back into their communities. 

Thriving Minds Academy is a renowned institution dedicated to providing exceptional education and support for children with autism. With a team of highly trained professionals and a nurturing environment, it stands as the epitome of an autism school. Through personalized programs tailored to each student's unique needs, they empower children to reach their full potential. The academy's state-of-the-art facilities and innovative teaching methods ensure a holistic approach to education, encompassing academics, life skills, and social development. At Thriving Minds Academy, families can find solace and confidence knowing that their child's education is in the hands of the best in the field.

Thriving Minds Academy 850 S Ironwood Dr Ste #110, Apache Junction, AZ 85120, United States +1 480-806-8000 https://thrivingmindsaz.com/ https://www.google.com/maps?cid=9988130058033023683

[desertbotanicalsblog]

Desert Botanicals® announces the launch of MEGAN’S Healing Massage and Body Oil with Ashwagandha, Arnica, Jojoba, Vitamin E as well as other helpful premium natural ingredients. MEGAN’S formula was developed as a partnership between Desert Botanicals technical team and Megan Bjorkman founder and owner of Megan’s Oasis located in Scottsdale, Arizona. By combining #Ashwagandha Oil from India, #Arnica Oil from Canada with #Jojoba and #PricklyPear from the Sonoran Desert, MEGAN’S Healing Massage and Body oil provides a premium massage and skin care experience maximizing #relaxation, #rejuvenation, #moisturization for treating dry skin and providing efficient diffusion. 🌱🌰🌵🏜 #arizonaskincare #arizonamassage #azmassagetherapy #skincare #phoenix #tempe #chandler #queencreek #peoria #scottsdalemassage #massagetherapy #glendale #skinrejuvenation #flagstaff #tucson Full press release here➡️ https://www.einpresswire.com/article/604883512/desert-botanicals-launches-megan-s-healing-massage-and-body-oil-developed-in-partnership-with-megan-s-oasis Everything we do is➡️➡️➡️#parabenfree and #crueltyfree 🐰🐭 👨‍🔬Formulated in #scottsdale ⚗️ 🏜Proudly made in #arizona. 🌅 But it here➡️ www.dbotanicals.com/shop or at Sip-n-Shop in #gilbert. Learn more about Desert Botanicals at➡️ www.dbotanicals.com About Megan Bjorkman, LMT and Megan’s Oasis Megan’s Oasis is located on an Equestrian Property in Scottsdale, Arizona. Megan’s spa is designed to provide the ultimate relaxation and therapeutic experience. After experiencing a transformational massage, Megan Marie, LMT, found her calling for therapeutic bodywork. She trained at the Southwest Institute of Healing Arts in Tempe, Arizona, and has been practicing massage and other modalities since 2007. Her love of the Sonoran Desert, horseback riding, and healthy living inspired the formulation of Megan’s Healing Massage and Body Oil. www.megansoasis.com (at Scottsdale, Arizona) https://www.instagram.com/p/Cl1ZrAxpUIQ/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[gomistore]

Change A Life This Giving Tuesday

Every child deserves a family. Those five words make up a seemingly simple sentence. But it’s so much more than a phrase to me. It is a belief that has led to a movement and a mission to change the way the world cares for orphans. A movement that started here, with the Becoming Minimalist community, and has now grown to change countless lives, all around the world, through the love of a family. The Hope Effect In 2015, on this blog, I launched a nonprofit organization called The Hope Effect with the mission to change the way the world cares for orphans. It was a big goal, but why dream small? With so many lives in this community freed up from the pursuit of material possessions, just think of the good we could bring into the world. Immediately after announcing the nonprofit, I was overwhelmed by the support and passion from this community as we shared about the global problem we were trying to solve. And I have been continually amazed at the ongoing support from the Becoming Minimalist Community. You see, millions of children around the world are growing up without the love of a family. The majority of those orphaned and vulnerable children are being cared for in large institutions, commonly referred to as orphanages. Less than 1% of orphaned children will ever be adopted—so how we care for the remaining 99% matters. Unfortunately, there is clear and compelling research on the damaging effects of traditional, institutional orphan care that is practiced in so many places around the world. Children who grow up in orphanages don’t receive the individual attention and care found within the structure of a family. As a result, development is stunted and learning abilities are delayed or lost. And tragically, many children age out of orphanages only to face a future of crime, prostitution, or trafficking—children who grow up in institutional orphanages are 10X more likely to fall into sex work, 40X more likely to have criminal records, and 500X more likely to commit suicide! The studies are clear—kids do best when they are raised in families. That’s why The Hope Effect is changing orphan care by providing innovative family care, which allows every child the opportunity to flourish and thrive. We believe every child deserves a family. Over the last seven years, we’ve been pioneering and expanding our model of orphan care in several locations, including Mexico, Honduras, Thailand, and Cambodia. In the care of a family, children receive the individual attention and support they need, while also learning what it means to be part of a stable, loving family. All across the globe, more kids are growing and thriving in family care. Children like Antonio*—the very first child placed into family care in the state of Sonora, Mexico—have hope for the future through the love of a family. Just look at the work we’re accomplishing together.

Antonio’s Story

Antonio was born in July 2020 in Hermosillo, the capital city of Sonora. Sadly, he was immediately abandoned in the hospital. Moments after his birth, he was alone in the world, without the love of a family. In most developing countries around the world, Antonio would have been taken by the authorities and processed into an orphanage, where he would live with other children and be cared for by a rotating staff of employees. But thankfully, there was another option for Antonio… a better option. Just a few months before Antonio was born, we had begun working in Sonora. In February 2020, we signed a contract with the Sonoran government, becoming the first nonprofit to receive government approval to provide family care in that location. When Antonio was abandoned later that year, the government contacted our team in Hermosillo. At just 14 days old, Antonio was welcomed into the loving arms of a family. As the first child in the state of Sonora placed in family care, he never saw the inside of an orphanage. For the last two years, we’ve watched Antonio grow up in a loving family. It’s been incredible to see him develop and thrive in a caring, supportive, and stable family environment. Here you can see Antonio’s transformation with your own eyes: What an incredible example of how the love of a family can change a life. And today, Giving Tuesday, you have a special opportunity to give hope to more orphaned and vulnerable children around the world.

Give Hope On Giving Tuesday

Today is Giving Tuesday, a global day of generosity where people all over the world come together to give back and make a difference. If you want to change the lives of more children like Antonio, join us for Giving Tuesday. Our goal is to raise $125,000 today to further expand family care in Latin America and Southeast Asia. If you partner with us, you will help more orphaned and vulnerable children, just like Antonio, find the families they need and deserve. And today, your gift—and your impact—will be doubled. A generous team of supporters is matching every donation dollar for dollar, up to $62,500! The Hope Effect is a 501(c)(3) organization, so your donation is tax-deductible within the U.S. If you have additional questions about The Hope Effect or our work, send us an email. We love to share our vision and passion for helping kids, and we’re always happy to chat with anyone who would like to learn more. Thank you so much for supporting The Hope Effect over the last seven years. It is amazing to see all that we’ve accomplished together. We are changing the way the world cares for orphans…because every child deserves a family. *Name has been changed to protect the privacy of the child. Read the full article

[fatehbaz]

Indigenous knowledge; Chihuahuan and Sonoran desert landscapes; mining and nuclear colonialism in New Mexico; Quechua/Andean languages; epistemicide and imperialist erasure of Indigenous worlds/cosmologies through racialization of language: “translation” as extractivism. New autumn 2022 releases from University of Arizona Press.

Bountiful Deserts: Sustaining Indigenous Worlds in Northern New Spain foregrounds the knowledge of Indigenous peoples in the arid lands of northwestern Mexico, for whom the desert was anything but barren or empty. Instead, they nurtured and harvested the desert as a bountiful and sacred space. [...] [A]uthor Cynthia Radding develops the relationships between people and plants and the ways that Indigenous people sustained their worlds before European contact through the changes set in motion by Spanish encounters, highlighting the long process of colonial conflicts and adaptations over more than two centuries. This work reveals the spiritual power of deserts by weaving together the cultural practices of historical peoples and contemporary living communities, centered especially on the Yaqui/Yoeme and Mayo/Yoreme.

Contrary to previous works that suppress Nuevomexicana/o presences throughout U.S. nuclear history, Nuclear Nuevo Mexico: Colonialism and the Effects of the Nuclear Industrial Complex on Nuevomexicanos focuses on recovering the voices and stories that have been lost or ignored in the telling of this history. By recuperating these narratives, Myrriah Gómez tells a new story of New Mexico, one in which the nuclear history is not separate from the collective colonial history of Nuevo México but instead demonstrates how earlier eras of settler colonialism laid the foundation for nuclear colonialism in New Mexico.

Reading the Illegible: Indigenous Writing and the Limits of Colonial Hegemony in the Andes examines the history of alphabetic writing in early colonial Peru, deconstructing the conventional notion of literacy as a weapon of the colonizer. This book develops the concept of legibility, which allows for an in-depth analysis of coexisting Andean and non-Native media. The book discusses the stories surrounding the creation of the Huarochirí Manuscript (c. 1598–1608), the only surviving book-length text written by Indigenous people in Quechua in the early colonial period. The manuscript has been deemed “untranslatable in all the usual senses,” but scholar Laura Leon Llerena argues that it offers an important window into the meaning of legibility.

Visualizing Genocide: Indigenous Interventions in Art, Archives, and Museums, edited by Yve Chavez and Nancy Marie Mithlo, examines how creative arts and memory institutions selectively commemorate or often outright ignore stark histories of colonialism. The essays confront outdated narratives and institutional methods by investigating contemporary artistic and scholarly interventions documenting settler colonialisms including land theft, incarceration, intergenerational trauma, and genocide. Interdisciplinary approaches, including oral histories, exhibition practices, artistic critiques, archival investigations, and public arts, are among the many decolonizing methods incorporated in contemporary curatorial practices.

In Translation and Epistemicide: Racialization of Languages in the Americas author Joshua Martin Price tracks how through the centuries translation practices have enabled colonialism and resulted in epistemicide, or the destruction of Indigenous and subaltern knowledge. The book gives an account of translation-as-epistemicide in the Americas, drawing on a range of examples from the early colonial period to the War on Terror. The first chapters demonstrate four distinct operations of epistemicide: the commensuration of worlds, the epistemic marginalization of subaltern translators and the knowledge they produce, the criminalization of translators and interpreters, and translation as piracy or extractivism. The second part of the book outlines decolonial translation strategies, including an epistemic posture the author calls “bewilderment.”

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All text by: The University of Arizona Press. “Explore New Titles from the University of Arizona Press Fall 2022 Catalog.” Press release published online. 26 May 2022. [Italicized first paragraph/heading added by me.]

[1ore]

Do you have any good sites/pages/reads about deserts?

Oh my. I put a pin in this to come back to it after final’s week and then I completely forgot about the pin. I am so sorry this is so late, but here it is!!!

Pretty much anything I recommend is going to be focused on the Sonoran Desert/surrounding areas. The stuff I know about deserts I haven’t personally visited is spread out over too many websearch deep dives to point to a single source about with any sense of authority, so I will not be very helpful there, hahahaha… (in fact I don't think I can point at anything with any authority, but at least I feel better recommending stuff that I can look in my backyard to verify.)

Still, I hope learning about the specific can give you a better understanding of the general. I think you'll find there’s some emergent themes with deserts and aridlands, particularly when it comes to issues with water and environmental degradation that a lot of them are going through today.

Ok. ANYWAY!

First, the books.

These are sorted by increasing specificity/scholarly-ness. So more accessible/general reads are on top, and more dense/topical ones are further down.

A Natural History of the Sonoran Desert

Exactly what it says on the tin. Published by the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, a *really* cool institution to visit if you are ever in the Tucson area. It’s written for general audiences, and the 1st edition is available to read for free online, pretty much in its entirety?!!? (I will recommend the 2nd edition if you can get your hands on it, because I think the online version is missing some personal anecdotes that IMO make the reading experience a lot more fun for people who maybe haven’t visited, or don’t have a vested interest in reading about, say, soil ecology recreationally.)

Oral History of the Yavapai by Mike Harrison and John Williams

I don’t know where to put this, exactly. It’s very specific to central Arizona and the Salt River Valley, and if you’re not familiar with the area, I think it might be difficult to wrap your head around it. That said, it’s a no-nonsense transcription of oral history told by two Yavapai elders, Mike Harrison and John Williams. It does not read like a history book at all, and I mean that in a very good way. It’s intimate and conversational and Mike and John are *very* talented storytellers. This is also an unflinchingly honest perspective on ~late 1800s-1900s settler history that I think is very difficult for most people to get, even today. For this reason, it is an emotionally difficult read but a very necessary one IMO.

Mythical River by Melissa L. Sevigny

This one I’m still working through, but it traces the history of water issues in the Southwest from colonial times to today. The name delivers on everything it promises, by the way:

"Mythical River takes the reader on a historical sojourn into the story of the Buenaventura, an imaginary river that led eighteenth- and nineteenth-century explorers, fur trappers, and emigrants astray for seventy-five years. This mythical river becomes a metaphor for our modern-day attempts to supply water to a growing population in the Colorado River Basin. Readers encounter a landscape literally remapped by the search for “new” water, where rivers flow uphill, dams and deep wells reshape geography, trees become intolerable competitors for water, and new technologies tap into clouds and oceans."

These People Have Always Been a Republic: Indigenous Electorates in the U.S.-Mexico Borderlands, 1598-1912 by Maurice Crandall

Another book I’m still working through. Crandall paints a *wildly* detailed picture of how these systems of governance actually functioned. There’s also an angle of how colonial systems of governance imposed onto the Pueblos, Hopis, Yaquis, and Tohono O’odham were variously subverted, adapted, or rejected by its constituents, and how those systems fit into Spanish, Mexican, and American power dynamics.

Shorter reads

Other stuff that's stuck with me over the years, as well. My bookmarks are a junk drawer of this sort of thing but maybe something will grab your interest?

Five Years Later, Effects of Colorado River Pulse Flow Still Linger – Article about the short few weeks when the Colorado River met the sea for the first time in decades.

Mark Thomas’ Geology Blog – just a grab bag of really, really cool phenomena in and around Northern Arizona.

History of the Poston Memorial and Poston Japanese American Internment camp – A little-known interstice of Japanese American and Mojave, Chemehuevi, Hopi, and Dine history that’s close to my heart.

Native American Farmers are Growing a Sustainable Market – Article about native-owned farms in Arizona that challenged my (admittedly still sour) opinion of industrial ag in Arizona, hahahaha.

Borderlore – Exactly what it sounds like. There’s a lot of great stuff going on in here.

Arizonensis – Oldie but goodie. Critters and plants and places of interest in the Sonoran Desert.

Other sites I like to hit for this, that, and the other thing:

SEINet

Southwest Desert Flora

Native American Ethnobotany Database

iNaturalist (of course)

I.e. plants. Plants. So many plants. I am Always needing to know things about plants in my area, so these are some of my best friends for that. They’re a nice jumping-off point for learning more about them than just their scientific name and what they look like, too.

SEINet is more like a traditional herbarium with field guide excerpts full of botanical lingo. Southwest Desert Flora is a little more for general audiences, but also has some information about plant ecology and other schtuff.

I like to use iNaturalist to get a better idea of where things are spatially. And also to locate pictures of (certain) weird and obscure species. Or species that are so common to the point of invisible, people don’t think to share nice pictures of them.

NAEB is there because I like to know human relationships with plants, too. It isn’t just restricted to the southwest, so if anyone else in ~north america is curious about ethnobotanical uses of plants in their area, definitely check it out.

.... Deserts! Whew. That went on longer than I thought it would. I hope something in here is useful to you. Thank you for asking this question and being so patient for the answer, it is really touching to hear the interest and to be able to share this info ;m;

[libertarian-druid-ny-separatist]

And you too can learn how to do this at Sonoran Desert Institute!

Democrat policy has turned the Washington gun buying market into the Mogadishu style arms buying market. Tbh I would not be surprised if someone had an RPG tune in my neighborhood.

They banned so much shit that people just went black market.

[bop-pipeguy]

I guess I’m blogging now 😅

Hello and welcome! I’m Alex, or Pipe Guy as most of you’ll know me from IG or YouTube. The majority of my content here will cover my adventures (or misadventures) with firearms. There’s no real rhyme or reason to it, just whatever I feel like posting at the moment. I will occasionally discuss my other hobbies of pipe smoking, watches and collecting old junk.

Some background on me- I’ve got 28 years of experience shooting (Dad taught me when I was 6 but it sounds better the other way) and spent four years in the Marine Corps where I spent my time as an 0331 (Infantry Machine gunner) but also did some other really cool courses such as Basic Urban Survival Training (BUST) and Combat Hunter. That said, I’m not the type that thinks military training is relevant to the civilian world. Some things are, most is not. I’ve got an associates from Sonoran Desert Institute (que laughter, but it helps me win arguments on the internet “dO yOu HaVe A dEgReE iN tHaT fIeLd?” And I am certified through the International Firearm Specialists Academy. Most importantly I’m passionate about these tools and am always trying to learn more.

I was brought into Brownells Bureau of Propaganda 4 years ago and am proud to say they are a driving force behind this blog. A good portion of what I discuss will available through their website. I want to emphasize now that I’m not just shilling. Brownells is a fantastic company that does wonderful things for the firearms community and I fully believe in the mission of the Bureau of Propaganda, which ultimately is to show firearm culture in a positive light. The Second Amendment is constantly under attack, more so now with a big push to get some pretty terrible bills passed. I’m going to try to refrain from politics as much as possible here, but sometimes it’s unavoidable.

This is not going to be just another AR15 blog. I tend to prefer old school style and while some ARs certainly qualify for that, there’s a whole lot more that can be talked about as well. If you want more of my nonsense, be sure to check out my Instagram @pipe.guy as well as my YouTube channel Pipe Guy. From old school snub nose revolvers and Browning Hi Powers, to holsters, “modern” pistols such as the Sig Sauer P226 and Beretta 92FS, tools, gear, and other accoutrements were gonna go over it all. Yes even the occasional AR15. Book reviews will also go up now and again, albeit far less often. I need to read a book a couple times to really feel comfortable reviewing it so you’ll have to bear with me on that. The topics those will cover will mostly be history, self defense and shop manuals.

If you’re still reading, I appreciate you and hopefully you’ll stick around for more! Here’s a teaser photo of the next blog! The video on these will be going on my YouTube later this evening, and the blog will likely be going up tomorrow.

I’m very excited to start blogging with Brownells and want to thank everyone that reads this for doing so!

[carnegiemuseumnaturalhistory]

Carnegie’s Cactus

by Patrick McShea

Diplodocus carnegii, a sauropod star of Dinosaurs in Their Time, is not the only large organism exhibited at Carnegie Museum of Natural History that bears the founder’s name. Within the Hall of Botany, the tree-sized saguaro cactus whose prickly form visually anchors the Sonoran Desert diorama is a species know to science as Carnegie gigantea.

A blooming saguaro in a diorama depicting the Sonoran Desert of southern Arizona.

The name honors Andrew Carnegie’s support, through the Carnegie Institution, for the 1903 establishment of the Desert Botanical Laboratory in Tucson, Arizona. This groundbreaking research facility, which enabled long-term studies of desert plant adaptations, was sold to the U.S. Forest Service in 1940, and later was purchased by the University of Arizona in 1956.

Today the facility is known simply as the Desert Laboratory, and visitors to its website find an immediate reference to its location on Tumamoc Hill, a site of cultural and spiritual significance to the Tohono O’odham and other Native peoples. A mission statement follows, clarifying the expanded scope of the Laboratory’s work:

The role of the Desert Laboratory is to build on the complementary strengths of culture, science, and community rooted at Tumamoc Hill and the larger Sonoran Desert to become an integrative hub of novel research, education, and outreach about how linked human and natural systems face the future of life in the desert.

Ongoing studies of the Desert Laboratory’s 5,800 saguaros fit perfectly into this mission because of the plant’s importance to the region’s Native peoples for thousands of years.

A carving depicting the saguaro harvest.

In Pittsburgh, museum visitors can learn something about the ancient connection between people and the iconic cactus by following a Hall of Botany stop with one in the Alcoa Foundation Hall of American Indians. Here, near the middle of the exhibition’s central corridor, a series of displays exploring use of plants by Native peoples includes a carving by artist Danny Flores (Tohono O’odham) that depicts the traditional harvest of saguaro fruit by Tohono O’odham women.

Consider the walk between the blooming life-sized saguaro in the Sonoran Desert diorama and the tiny carved replica to represent a spring-into-summer transition when white cactus blossoms, pollinated by bird, bat, or insect, transform into ripening red fruit.

A text panel near the model explains how gathered fruit is boiled to create a syrup which is then fermented into wine used in rituals invoking the summer rains to begin. The label also identifies the source of the specialized harvesting tool, an implement as long as a saguaro is tall. The pole is a saguaro rib, a part of the wood skeleton that once helped to hold a massive cactus upright.

Patrick McShea works in the Education and Visitor Experience department of Carnegie Museum of Natural History. Museum employees are encouraged to blog about their unique experiences and knowledge gained from working at the museum.