Nature Writing and Its Authors is the subject of this free presentation by Karyn Riedell on Wednesday, May 21, 2008 at 2:00 pm and it will examine current nature writing and authors such as Annie Dillard, Barry Lopez, Simon Ortiz, bell hooks, Terry Tempest Williams, and Barbara Kingsolver. This presentation being held at the Highlands Center for Natural History will discuss important works by these writers as well as others, and will consider the following questions: What does this writer have to say about nature? What is his or her reason for writing about nature? Do these writers see their art as a way of bringing about environmental activism?

Karyn Riedell is an English instructor at Arizona State University, where she teaches both traditional and online classes including composition, professional writing, American literature, popular culture, and creative nonfiction. She holds a Ph.D. in 20th century American literature. In addition to teaching, she has also worked as a full-time journalist, including coverage of environmental issues. She currently lives in Pine, Arizona.

This program is made possible by the Arizona Humanities Council. For more information visit www.highlandscenter.org or  call 776-9550.

Hawaiian music has evolved like most things on islands do—slowly, and with its own nuances. Bringing a new breed of rock and roll/punk/rockabilly to the mainland are The Hell Caminos, Hawaii’s first band to capture these genres and bring them together. The Hell Caminos will be at Sundance's Place (116 N Montezuma St, Prescott) on May 17th, touring in support of their new CD, Lust.

The Hell Caminos wanted a CD that could accurately represent their diverse sound, and after a first release (Through the Day, and Through the Night, self-released, 2005), two mainland tours, four years and a lot of hard work, they created their second release, Lust, a product of which they are very proud. The title track sounds like Boston punk in the vein of Dropkick Murphys. “18” has more of an early ‘80s sound with simple guitar, and vocals rivaling an X-rated Cars song. If June Carter and Johnny Cash had more of a psychobilly sound, they would have created the 12th song on Lust, “Brackish Line,” instead of “Jackson.”

Although the CD is excellent, the band’s live show is what really does these songs justice. Michael Camino (doghouse bass, vocals), Nick Danger (lead guitar, vocals), Jesse Atomic (rhythm guitar, vocals) and Handsome Jack (drums) get up on stage and come alive—singing, shouting, running, bouncing, twirling their instruments, standing on their instruments and standing on each other at times—it’s a very lively performance for the fans each and every night.

It’s important to The Hell Caminos that the fans are happy, all the fans. Michael promotes all-ages shows in Hawaii, remembering the times when he had to sneak into shows because there wasn’t a scene for the underage crowd. The days of the close knit punk scene are not forgotten to The Hell Caminos. Unity is still important. As is fun… and rocking shows, and playing good music. They’ve won two HUMAs (Hawaiian Underground Music Awards) to prove it—Best  Stage Show and People’s Choice. Take that Don Ho!

To listen to some tunes, get a peek at the show or for more information on the tour, go to www.MySpace.com/thehellcamios.

Jody Miller's haunting horse portraits have been drawing a lot of attention since they went up on the walls of Prescott's Grayleaf Galleria in March. Grayleaf owner Katherine Koenig found in Miller's work a perfect complement to the gallery's southwestern aesthetic. "I chose to bring Jody’s work into our gallery because of her unique eye and soul-stirring Western photography," Koenig relates.

Like so many Arizona photographers, Miller came here to leave the rat race behind, to work with long views and the clear desert light. Alongside her day job, she set up herself up as a commercial portraitist and art photographer, doing business as MillersReflections. Miller has won awards from the Prescott Fine Arts Association and the Phippen Museum, where her work appeared in the Emerging Photographic Talent of the West exhibit. She supports the community with ongoing donations of services and artwork to Horses with Heart, the Soroptimists, Habitat for Humanity, and Future for KIDS.

Before becoming an Arizonan, Miller's love of horses led her to spend a number of years on a working horse ranch in the California desert. She says, "I have loved horses ever since I was a teenager. They are majestic, powerful, glorious animals that love to perform and show off their beauty. I enjoy the challenge of capturing that special connection people have with their animals."

So it was natural that as she took up photography, the horse would stand at the center of her focus. Miller designs her commercial portraits to show off the distinctive character of each animal and the flavor of the relationship between human and horse. Her Western art photography also centers around the horse and the humans who love and work with them. The images focus on details (spurs, chaps, hands on the reins, flying hooves churning dust) as well as featuring long shots of riders in open country, splashing through a stream, working stock or gathered around the chuck wagon.