Page 39 - the NOISE December 2012

SUSTaINaBILITY IN OUr gENEraTION CONTINUED FrOM PagE 10
Permaculture Principle #11: Use edges and value the marginal. An edge is where two different things meet. Some edges are where something meets nothing, we often call those cliffs. Where grass meets a sidewalk is an edge. Where a field of grass gives way to a grove of trees is an edge. We quite often overlook the edges of things. Most yards have feet of empty space lining their edges. Permaculture entreats us to produce no waste; this extends to not wasting available space. A Permaculture de- signer must open their mind to the potential of all things, and maximize that potential. This includes space.
Permaculture Principle #12: Use small and slow solutions. By making your interactions, “small and slow,” you will have time to observe
their effects and performance in your ecology before committing major ecological and per- sonal resources to a large-scale implementa- tion. Smaller solutions that have a slower and steady growth rate will be able to fit in better with new changes, or easier to adapt to chang- ing situations.
Additional Principle: Stacking of functions. While not one of Holmgren’s Principles, the principle of Stacking of functions is an oft re- cited Permaculture Principle. Stacking of func- tions implies that you try to produce as many yields as possible from any one design element. The more productive each individual element of your personal system, i.e. the more functions it stacks, the fewer resources we as a group have to use.
Additional Principle: The problem is the solution. In a Permaculture sense a “problem” means something that is decreasing the eco- logical activity in your system and anything that is a “problem” represents a significant, or at least some amount of embodied energy in your system. The Permaculture Principles tell us to catch and store that energy. Therefore some amount of energy can be caught and harnessed from a “problem.” The Permaculture Principles also tell us to produce no waste. If you encounter a “problem” in your system and do not re-purpose it into a beneficial ele- ment then you have wasted an opportunity. This principle can apply to a lot more than just physical design elements in an agricultural or architectural system. This principle can be ap- plied in your whole life. Have a problem? Try to figure out how that problem can be harnessed to provide its own solution.
Additional Principle: Everything is an ecolo- gy. When we use the word “ecology,” most peo- ple assume we mean the Earth’s biosphere, and it is fine to use the word this way. The Permac- ulture Designer, however, understands an ecol- ogy is a system wherein each element effects and supports each other element. Together they create a dynamic stable system. Your car is an ecology, your living room is an ecology, your interactions with your friends are an ecology, your whole body is an ecology. In an ecology, if you mess with one element in the system, all other elements are effected. Now, if every- thing is an ecology, and Permaculture Design is about designing ecologies, then the principles and techniques of Permaculture Design can be used to design anything, from a house, to a car, to your living room, to your relationship with your friends, anything!
Understanding something as an ecology is about understanding its cycles, particularly its consumption/excretion cycles.
|wes Ozier has taught and lived at the arcosanti Project, the Ecosa
Institute and the Lost valley Educa- tional Center. His latest book, Wil- liam’s PDC, is available on ama-
zon.com . wesozier@mail.com
IT’S THE arTS CONTINUED FrOM PagE 18
to theatergoers. Miserly Ebenezer Scrooge, played by Rick krug, “bah humbugs,” his way through many Christmases in his life, trampling upon the happiness of everyone around him, until he is visited one Christmas Eve by four spirits who tour him through his past, present, and inevitable future if he doesn’t change his ways, and remind him of the true meaning of Christmas. When first published as a novella, the story helped to breathe life back into what had become a dreary holiday in England, and in an age where the holiday season brings more stress than joy, the story’s message of re- demption and the importance of relationships may be a helpful reminder for everyone.
Even though the Theatrikos directors have decided to tell the story traditionally, sticking with the Victorian-era costumes, setting and all of Dickens’ familiar, quirky characters, they also want to emphasize to audiences that this is, fundamentally, a ghost story. “We are trying to work some theatrical magic into this year’s pro- duction,” Mr. Maniglia elaborates. He explains that they are doing this “Partly because we are so familiar with the story and partly because we have a production team, cast and crew who were willing to try something risky.” Nonethe- less, Mr. Maniglia assures, this will be a family- friendly affair.
Audiences will also get to enjoy seeing per- formances featuring different cast members in the same roles. “We had upwards of 90 people, adults and kids, audition for this show, and we really wanted to utilize as many of them as pos- sible,” Mr. Maniglia says. Even though he says it makes more work for the costume designers and crew, it allows them to have a spare cast and crew who can fill in as understudies in case someone falls ill or has a prior commitment. Best of all, Mr. Maniglia says, “It allows more people to be involved.”
Kids, teens, and adults will all be showing off their acting skills in this production, which utilizes the small but versatile space of the Doris Harper-White Playhouse on the corner of Cherry St. and Beaver St. in downtown Flag- staff. Audiences will be taken back in time to a cold, snowy London on Christmas Eve, open- ing with a group of carolers singing, “We Wish You A Merry Christmas.” As the action unfolds, we learn about the curmudgeon Scrooge, his assistant Bob Crachit, and his struggling but happy family, and are soon transported to a time and place that is at once comforting and foreign.
Nikki McGuire, who plays the character Fred’s wife and has been acting on stage for 18 years, says this is her favorite part of theatre. “I hope that, if anything, what people can take away from this show is a momentary escape. I want to help provide a chance for audiences to leave their chairs for a couple hours and forget about what’s beyond those theater doors.”
As his present self, observing his past and potential future, all Scrooge can do is watch himself make the decisions he did and see the consequences if he keeps heading in his tight-fisted, gloom-and-doom direction. Alix Johnson, who has been acting since she was five but just began working with Theatrikos at the beginning of this year, plays Belle Fezzi- wig, Scrooge’s first love and loss. Ms. Johnson explains, “He has the opportunity to stop her from leaving him, but when he doesn’t, she is forced to realize that this was his choice.”
In the happy end, Ebenezer Scrooge’s meta- physical experience causes him to turn from his wicked ways, embrace generosity, and become a true friend to those around him. Ms. John- son hopes that this is the message audiences take home with them after seeing this produc- tion. “You can change. Scrooge doesn’t believe anything can make him a different man, but a reevaluation of his life shows him that life is too short. Nothing is set in stone. Everyone can be
happy. Don’t give up on the people you know, or yourself.”
Theatrikos will be performing A Christmas Carol, November 30 through December 16, Fri- day and Saturday evenings at 7:30PM and Sat- urday and Sunday matinees at 2PM.
928/774-1662. Theatrikos.com
20 YEarS OF HOLIDaYS By Joni Pevarnik
This Holiday season brings a celebration to San Francisco Street. The Artists’ Gallery will be celebrating its 20th holiday season in Down- town Flagstaff. A lot has changed in those 20 years. When the gallery began, there was a different environment downtown. The build- ing was being used as a hair salon and there were no contemporary galleries in the down- town area. With inspiration and a lot of hard work from a family of 35 artists, the gallery was born. The artists worked the shifts and helped pay the rent. Everyone had ownership in the place and as we grew and developed, the gal- lery flourished. In the early days, we tried all sorts of things. Howie Hearn decorated the front window with shards of glass, creating an amazing light show as you walked by, Craig Bowie had his pig in the window for one First Friday opening and music was a regular part of openings and still is from time to time.
We all support each other and encourage new ideas. Friendships are created too. Due to the hard work of so many, the gallery has become a center of the art community. Pam Raskob ran the place for many years with the help of the artists. This season, we will have our holiday tree with ornaments made by gallery artists. Every year there is something new on that tree. It is fun to come in and see what has been created each time.
kathryn Farr makes some incredible warm and beautiful hats and scarves. See what cozy quilt Joan Scott has recently created. Our pot- ters have fired up some wonderful cups to en-
joy a mug of something warm when it is chill- ing up outside. All our jewelers make one-of- a-kind pieces for that perfect gift that no one else will have. If you are looking for a way to re-create your living environment, our photog- raphers, painters and glass sculptors have their latest work for you to peruse. Come in and meet the artists, take your time and see what we have created. FlagstaffArtistsGallery.com
CLaIr aNNa rOSE’S arT BrIEFS
“The Mini Show,” at Verde Valley’s White Hills Gallery, will display over 250 works of small, affordable and original art by over 30 artists through January 4, 2013. White Hills Gallery is located at 348 S. Main Street in Camp Verde. Whitehillsgallery.com
“Art is a Wrap,” at the Artists’ Coalition of Flagstaff’s Gallery begins during the Decem- ber First Friday ArtWalk. ACF has a special selection of artistic creations, prints, ceramics, jewelry, paintings, and crafts for $25.00 and under. All purchases will be wrapped in lovely Christmas paper. Flagstaff-arts.org
This December Canyon Movement Com- pany presents their 9th Annual performance of the Nutcracker Suite in Modern Bare Feet – a 21st Century Interpretation of the Holiday Clas- sic! Over 60 cast members from throughout the community in Flagstaff dance together to bring a modern day interpretation of a classic holiday favorite. Performances will be held December 7 and 8 at 7:30PM, with a matinee performance at 2PM on December 8, at the Sinagua Middle School Auditorium, 3950 E. Butler Ave. 928/774-3937. CanyonMovement- Company.org
The paintings of Sam Jones will be featured this December at West of the Moon Gallery, 14 N. San Francisco St. in Flagstaff. Westofthe-
MoonGallery.com
| Have art? arts@thenoise.us
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