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Darrell and Rodney complete the wraparound walkway and handicap access at OCC.  Tools of the rockmason trade Work like this has an indelible impact on our town.  Good dogs help out  Credit Kaz with the pics as the work continues. Check out the grand improvement for yourself when next at the Oracle Community Center.  Photo credit Darrell; job credit Rodney and Darrell
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When I arrived at the Oracle Cemetery to see how the brush clearing with a volunteer team was going I was greeted by fellow board member Justin Palmer. He reported that yes the work was going on but there had been a glitch.  Justin Palmer The first dead tree the group attacked was home to a colossal nest of bees and they weren't happy being invaded. "Everyone was stung and one guy was hit eight times." "So they packed it in, right?" "No, they moved to another area and are hard at work." And so they were.   Men at work. Pic credit Sharon Holnback I've never seen these guys around town but I sure hope they come back. I understand Alicia Bristow with the Visitors Center connected them with Justin ... and that's how a lot of good stuff happens in Oracle. A connection that turns into a positive impact. Amen to that and more.
Now back to Justin for a second. Among other roles around town he's the drummer for the Mother Cody Band. I caught his/their act at the Oracle Community Learning Garden celebration the other day and he/they were great. (Special kudos to Jennifer Rinio for her spectacular rendering of White Rabbit.) A local band on the rise!
Sharon Holnback’s “Atmosperics” installation at the Triangle L Art Ranch reminded me of a moment spent with Bruce McGrew many years ago in his studio. Kaz and I were wandering around Rancho Linda Vista with no particular purpose when we stopped in. One of Bruce’s watercolors illuminated by a ray of sunlight was hung against a back wall. I just stood there staring and stammering - mouth no doubt agape. “It’s the light, Frank,” he said with a broad gesture of his right hand. “It’s the light.”
 One of the installations in the "Atmospherics" exhibition  Sharon Holnback (photo credit John Hernandez) Kaz and I wanted to experience Sharon Holnback's "Atmospherics" before it closes next week. So we texted her and she suggested meeting in the Triangle L Ranch Gallery after the board meeting of the Oracle Cemetery Association on which we all serve. We know Sharon as a friend and brilliant local creative. Her vision and hard work inform GLOW which is an illuminated trail carved out of ranch property that has gained international attention for its innovative immersion in mind boggling installations of light and shape. So we anticipated something out of the ordinary. We got that and more.  Morris Graves On our visit to Sharon's domain, in addition to admiring her work, she spoke of the two weeks she recently spent on retreat at the Morris Graves Foundation. It's a one- person-at-a time thing into which gaining entry is beyond difficult. Graves himself, a genius creative who passed away more than two decades ago, was something of a mystic when it came to artistic expression. Sharon's portfolio of accomplishment seems to fall into that fold.
Now I'm left wondering where all this comes from. You may wonder too if you venture over to the Triangle L before it's too late. With a strong turnout and and plenty of energy Oracle residents gathered again to consider the future of American Avenue. Building on comments offered at a meeting two weeks ago, Jeff Zucker led the group through a problem area identification process that pinpointed key concerns of meeting attendees.  Danger zones highlighted Informed by a map that identified serious accidents over a five year period, the urgent need to address safety issues posed by current conditions on Oracle's main drag seemed paramount in the group.  Residents study American Avenue maps Exactly where this is headed remains to be seen, but judging from convenings to date prospects are encouraging. With prime movers like Deb Breen and Mary Huebner, Liz Tuck and Jean Wilcox taking leadership roles Oracle will likely be the beneficiary.  Deb Breen and Mary Huebner North Bonito and Estill. Way too close for comfort.  . We have no idea how it started. Kaz and I find cigarette butts (always possible source of ignition) and mini flavor of the week liquor bottles scattered around the area from time to time. Maybe the source? A neighbor reports hearing a 3 wheeler and a car pass by around 3am !!! Then smelled smoke, discovered there was a fire at the edge of his property and called the Oracle Fire Department! He keeps his propery well cut so it didn't spread! Yes we think it could be someone flicked a cigarette. The other day Kaz came home reporting she was almost rear ended turning into Oracle's Sun Life Health Clinic. A hard charging pickup nearly put her in the emergency room or mortuary. Thankfully she pulled off American Avenue just in time to avert disaster.  In recent months at least two wrecks happened near where American Avenue joins Evergreen. And we can look forward to more if changes aren't made because traffic is increasing along with business activity; not to mention pedestrian walkabouts and bicycling.
Local architect Jeffrey Zucker led a discussion of safety and revitalization of Oracle's main street after the regular lunch at the Oracle Community Center. Notes from the meeting included the several focus areas of interest: Reduced speed limits; Bike lanes and pedestrian paths; Crosswalks; Intersection improvements; Signage; Appearance. The follow up is planned for May 16, 5:30 at the OCC. |
AuthorKaz and I moved to Oracle in 1979. The house we bought dated to the late 1940s. With little advance knowledge of the place, we set out to build a new life together, intending to settle in and raise a family. 
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