Payson woman's 'Poetry in Motion' in AZ Highways

Poetry in Motion by Gerri Levine

Gerri Levine of Payson won third place in the 2010 Arizona Highways photo contest and her photo "Poetry in Motion" was published in the September issue of Arizona Highways.

Nearly a native Arizonan, Gerri grew up in Phoenix, went to college on the east coast and then settled in Berkeley, Calif. for nearly 40 years.  A retired cancer researcher, Gerri and her husband Howard moved to Payson in late 2004.

She grew up reading Arizona Highways and finds it a wonderful honor to have her photograph published in the magazine. She was asked to display a print of "Poetry in Motion" at the Phippen Museum in Prescott for their Christmas show and sale.

"I was trying to capture the kaleidoscope of energy, color and movement that is Native Indian dance in this photo taken at the Apache Gold Powwow in San Carlos.

"Shooting fairly open at f/5.6, I used a relatively slow shutter speed of 1/25 to cause motion blur but kept the lens steady by resting it on the railing in front of me. By focusing on the stillest part--the dancer’s face--I tried to have some sharp detail within the whirlwind of activity."

District 5 Democratic candidates up next at CAC

The next CAC Meeting will be on Thursday, Sept. 9, 2 p.m. at the Payson Library.

Forum Speakers will be District 5 Democratic Candidates for the General Election:

Elaine Bohlmeyer- State Senate
Bill Shumway- State Representative
Prescott Winslow- State Representative

Questions may be asked by attendees upon completion of the CAC questions.

Guest Moderator for the meeting will be:
Ed Blair, Payson Town Councilor

Come to this Meeting to learn of the positions of the Candidates on the important topics of the election.

(Editor's note: We understand Ray Pugel, Pine realtor and sandy well owner, was a recent speaker at the CAC. Just wanted you to know we didn't carry an announcement to that effect because we didn't receive one. We're sure it was quite entertaining.)

Blasting resumes following holiday weekend

Road closure set for Wednesday at 2 p.m.

PRESCOTT – Following the holiday weekend, work will resume to widen Arizona SR 260 15 miles east of Payson. The Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) will close a two-mile segment of the highway for 45 minutes beginning at 2 p.m. on Wednesday (Sept. 8).

Eastbound traffic will be stopped at milepost 265 and westbound traffic will be stopped at milepost 267. The roadway will be closed while workers blast and clear material to provide room to widen the highway.

ADOT advises drivers to plan ahead to drive through the work zone before 2 p.m. or after 3 p.m. to avoid delays.

Information regarding the project is available on the toll-free project hotline at 1-877-521-1118. Weekly construction e-updates are available at prescottdistrictupdates@azdot.gov.

As always, drivers are reminded to proceed through the work zone with caution, slow down, and be alert for construction equipment and personnel.

ADOT works to inform the public about planned highway restrictions, but there is a possibility that unscheduled closures or restrictions may occur. Weather can also affect a project schedule. To stay up-to-date with the latest highway conditions around the state, visit the ADOT Traveler Information Center at www.az511.gov or call 5-1-1.

Woman set bed on fire

to drive the devil away

A tabloid newspaper headline at the grocery checkout?

Nope.  A front page headline in Friday's Payson Roundup.

Nice work guys.  Thanks for being on top of what really matters in the Rim Country?

Tell me again why anybody with a sixth grade education or better reads that paper?

Instead, read the Gazette Blog.  Read the Mogollon Connection.  For free.  Our goal is to stretch your mind, not insult your intelligence by appealing to the lowest common denominator.

And remember, you can get the very same grocery ads in Wednesday's Arizona Republic.

Jazz pianist Beth Lederman performs Sunday

Courtesy photo

Payson Friends of Jazz presents jazz pianist Beth Lederman (above) and saxophonist Mary Petrich with bassist Felix Sainz and drummer Gerry Reynolds on Sunday Sept. 12 at 2 p.m.  The concert will be held at Community Presbyterian Church, 800 West Main Street, Payson. It is open to the public, but donations will be accepted. For reservations and information, contact gerryr@cox.net.

TNF gives green light to APS substation project

Tonto Basin, Ariz. – Tonto National Forest (TNF) officials announced a Decision Notice and Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) for the Arizona Public Service Mazatzal Substation today. The proposed activities were described and anticipated effects analyzed in an Environmental Assessment.

The decision permits the Arizona Public Service Company to construct a new substation and establish approximately one mile of transmission lines to provide reliable power to the communities in the Payson, Rye, and Tonto Basin areas. The project is located on National Forest System land on the east side of Arizona State Route 87, north of Arizona 188 in Gila County.

The Environmental Assessment (EA) and Decision Notice FONSI are available at http://www.fs.fed.us/r3/tonto/projects/.

Individuals or organizations who provided comment on the proposed action during the comment period may appeal this decision. The appeal must be filed (regular mail, fax, e-mail, hand-delivery, express delivery, or messenger service) to:
USDA Forest Service
Attn: Mazatzal Substation Appeals
333 Broadway SE
Albuquerque, NM 87102

If hand delivered, the appeal must be received at the above address during business hours (Monday - Friday 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.), excluding holidays.

Electronic appeals may be submitted to appeals-southwestern-regional-office@fs.fed.us.

The appeal must have an identifiable name attached or verification of identity will be required. Names and addresses of appellants will become part of the public record. A scanned signature may serve as verification on electronic appeals.

Appeals, including attachments, must be in writing and filed (postmarked) by Monday, Oct. 11. For further information, please contact the Tonto Basin Ranger District administrative offices at 928-467-3200.

Wisconsin native Marion Baumgarten dies at 80

Marion Baumgarten
1930 - 2010

Marion Baumgarten, 80, passed away Aug. 28, 2010, in Payson, Ariz. She was born in Reedsburg, Wis., to Ernest Selle and Pauline Peters Selle.

Marion is preceded in death by her sons, William E. Baumgarten and Curtiss J. Baumgarten and three sisters. She is survived by her husband, Ed Baumgarten, daughter-in-law, Kim A. Baumgarten of Beaumont, Calif., grandchildren, Bryan W. Baumgarten and Kristi Baumgarten of Mentone, Calif. and Kristin L. Baumgarten of Beaumont, Calif.

Marion was a homemaker and a life long Lutheran. No services are planned at this time.