The Healing Field observed from the Mill Avenue Bridge, Tempe, Ariz.

The view from the Mill Avenue Bridge looking down on the Healing Field in Tempe Beach Park brings home the enormity of the human loss suffered on 9/11. The field contains a total of 2, 977,  8-foot tall American flags for each person who died on 9/11.

Tempe Beach Park hosts the 8th Annual Healing Field for the 10th anniversary of 9/11.

Volunteers put up the flags Friday, Sept. 9. The Healing Field remains open to the public through Sunday, Sept. 11 from 5 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily. Each flag contains a white card containing the victim’s name, age, location and a brief biography. Yellow ribbons designate first responders, blue ribbons represent flight crews on the airlines and teddy bears guard the flagpoles of the child victims.

A card and blue ribbon decorate the flagpole dedicated to Captain Charles Burlingame.

One card reads: “In Memory of Charles Burlingame; Age: 51; Location: AA Flight 77; Charles Burlingame, captain of American Airlines Flight 77, was a perfectionist. His attention to safety earned him the respect and admiration of his colleagues. Captain Burlingame’s most valued quality was his commitment to people. He personified the word classmate.”

Another card for first responder Leon Smith, age 48, says, “Leon Smith was the chauffeur-the driver for Ladder Company 118 in Brooklyn Heights. ‘He would wash his rig every single day, and when he went off duty he’d say, ‘Listen, my baby better be clean,’ Mrs. Smith said. ‘He called that his girlfriend.’”

Andrew H. Golkin, 30, worked in the World Trade Center. His bio reads, “‘He had a good heart, and was a good listener, which made him very good at his job,’ said Andrew Golkin’s mother, Janet, of her son’s work as vice president at Cantor Fitzgerald on the 105th floor of the World Trade Center. Only the Saturday night before the disaster, she and her husband, Gerald, and their daughter, Susan, had dinner with Andrew at their favorite neighborhood Italian restaurant, Parma, on the Upper East Side.”

A teddy bear guards the flagpole of 11-year-old victim, Rodney Dickens.

Teddy bears guard the flags designated for the youngest victims. Rodney Dickens, 11, perished on American Airlines Flight 77, and David Reed Gamboa Brandhorst, 3, died on United Airlines Flight 175.

Donated military boots decorate some of the Pentagon victims' flagpoles.

Attached to the base of many Pentagon victims’ flagpoles are military boots donated by veterans. The card on the boots donated for Daniel Martin Caballero, a 21-year-old U.S. Navy electronics technician third class, killed at the Pentagon reads, “Donated by B. Lee, U.S. Army, U.S. Marine Corps., U.S. Army/Army Reserves, Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation Enduring Freedom.”

Tempe Beach Park gives visitors grassy areas to walk among the flags or paved areas to walk around them.

Tempe Beach Park makes the perfect place for this Healing Field with its wide walkways, benches and grassy areas. It gives visitors a chance to walk through the rows of flags and read about each victim, relax on benches or pedal bicycles along the wide walkways and absorb the magic of the scene.

Photos by Janice Semmel

The Chihuly "Desert Towers" sparkle in the morning light.

A big surprise greets visitors after they pass the entrance gate. One of 11 of David Rogers’ “Big Bugs” sculptures, the giant Praying Mantis, greets visitors in the Ottosen Entry Garden.

The Praying Mantis, a David Rogers' "Big Bug" sculpture, resides in the Ottosen Entry Garden.

At 7:30 a.m., the Garden remains quiet and devoid of visitors, so the live creatures venture out along the trails. A roadrunner scurries across the Desert Discovery Loop Trail into the Sybil B. Harrington Succulent Gallery. Further down the trail a wily coyote steps out to investigate some nets covering cactus along the trail.

A cardinal nervously tweets and scampers from one branch to another at the entry to the Succulent Gallery, and a cactus wren scolds some unseen creature in the background. An Anna’s hummingbird flits overhead and mourning doves coo and soar from saguaro to trees. Along the Sonoran Desert Nature Loop Trail, a ground squirrel sits under a cactus and snacks on cactus fruit.

A ground squirrel snacks on a cactus fruit.

 At the highest point of the Sonoran Desert Nature Loop Trail, three giant Ants by David Rogers descend the steep grade.

David Rogers' Ants descend from the slope above the Sonoran Desert Nature Loop Trail.

They stand among the giant saguaro cactus and look so real a visitor might pause to see if they move.

Another giant Ant stands among the saguaros along the trail.

A giant Grasshopper resides along the Desert Discovery Loop Trail among the cactus and succulents and under a huge mesquite tree.

David Rogers' Grasshopper resides among the cactus and succulents.

 A beautiful Ladybug occupies a space next to the sundial in Steele Herb Garden. The newly renovated Center for Desert Living Trail also runs through this area.

 The Travel Show displayed the “Arizona Centennial Copper Chopper” built by Paul Yaffe. Yaffe’s bio next to the “Arizona Centennial Copper Chopper” reads, “Designer and builder of world-class custom motorcycles, setting industry standards since 1984. Opened Legend Motorcycle Company in 1990.” The sign also discloses the speed of the custom motorcycle at 125 mph. This custom motorcycle serves as the prize in a drawing sponsored by the Arizona Centennial 2012 Foundation. 

Exhibitors like Maricopa County Parks & Recreation Department gave out information on the county parks, maps, brochures and sheets for children to color and play games. They also made the public aware of their new online reservation site for campgrounds and picnic facilities. Gus, the gopher snake, drew in a lot of children and their parents, and Ranger Bill “Doc” Talboy answered their questions and put on a seminar on stage 2 about venomous creatures in the Sonoran Desert.

Talboy told the crowd that snakes try to avoid wasting their venom on people, and the rattle on a rattle snake warns people to go away. Scales cover snakes on top, but scoots cover snakes on the bottom and help them to move forward. Snakes cannot back up, so if they get into tight spaces, they can’t back up and die. They feel us clumping around, and snakes see color and motion, but not a sharp outline of things. They also hear very well. Two holes under their eyes, pit vipers, serve as heat sensing apparatus. Finally, they possess a great sense of smell through their tongue, which goes in and out 250 times a minute, says Talboy.

If bitten by a snake, Talboy tells the crowd they probably won’t die immediately, but they will become sick right away and die within about 72 hours. He says, ”If bit, sit down and relax so the venom pools at the bite sight. Do not buy a snake bite kit. It doesn’t work. Call 911 now.”

The talk also included information on scorpions, tarantulas, centipedes, tarantula hawks, spiders and Palo Verde beetles. Talboy showed everyone examples of the creatures and gave helpful hints to avoid them and their bites and stings. He answered questions and left everyone look at Gus and the display.

Arizona Highways editor Robert Stieve talks about his new "Arizona Highways Hiking Guide."

On stage 1, Arizona Highways editor Robert Stieve told the behind-the-scenes stories about doing the 52 hikes to fill his new book “Arizona Highways Hiking Guide.” He took a year and a half to do the book, and the time became longer when he injured himself on one of the early hikes.

Stieve said the magazine promotes travel, and travel is made up of history and culture, something the magazine’s been doing since 1925. Photography ranks number one in Arizona Highways, and photographs make up the entire Christmas issue. He says they never use Photoshop on their photographs. Hiking represents the second most popular thing in the magazine, so it features a hike of the month in every issue and the entire June issue becomes the summer hiking guide.

“To kick it up a notch even further, we put out this new hiking book,” said Stieve.

This book is great because all of the talented men and women photographers illustrated the book, said Stieve. The book is set up by seasons-spring, summer, fall and winter- and the 52 hikes in the book are spread out around the state. Geared toward moderate hikers, the book contains explicit directions with most hikes on public lands. In the front of the book, Stieve compiled a list of do’s and don’ts.

Arizona Highways editor Robert Stieve tells stories about the hikes for "Arizona Highways Hiking Guide."

“You never know what you’ll see on the trail,” he says. About 65 percent of the hikes are in wilderness areas and are considered day hikes. ”When I hike, it’s what you see, but some trails hit all five senses.”

Stieve says one of his private missions at Arizona Highways is to undo the myth that Arizona is this flat, hot place like the Gobi Desert.

Photos by Janice Semmel

Vibrant colors brought blooming flowers into focus along the Garden trails. Yellow California poppies nestled among purple verbena. Bright blanket flowers, desert bluebells and pink Mexican primroses brighten other parts of the Garden.

Vibrant golden yellow California poppies nestle among purple verbena.

Blanket flowers wave in the breeze along the Harriet K. Maxwell Desert Wildflower Loop Trail.

 Entering the Maxine & Jonathan Marshall Butterfly Pavilion, butterflies glide past visitors, land on trees, flowers and plants and sometimes even visitors. The luna moths find dark places to rest until night falls, and their coloring blends in with the foliage.

A luna moth rests in the foliage until night falls.

Each week the Garden receives a new shipment of butterflies from a butterfly farm in Florida. The butterflies come packed in envelopes and on dry ice to keep them calm during overnight shipment.

 A wide variety of plants, trees and flowers populate the pavilion not only for the butterflies but to lend color and beauty for visitors. A small pond with water foliage and fish also occupies the pavilion.

A cloudless giant sulphur blends into the floral background.

The pavilion stocks a variety of butterflies and the luna moths. Visitors receive a brochure with photos of sixteen butterflies to help with identification. Volunteers also help to identify butterflies and supply visitors with additional information on the butterfly’s life cycle.

A giant swallowtail flutters around a delicate flower.

Outside the Butterfly Pavilion, many of the cactus with their numerous, painful spines also display flowers of all colors.

A vibrant fuchsia flower blooms among the cactus spines.

A delicate bloom and bud hang on the end of a cactus arm.

 On the patio at the Garden, critters show up to beg for food and to watch everyone eating their lunch. Squirrels, ground squirrels, mourning doves, cactus wrens and Gambel’s quail scurry by or plant themselves on a table or chair and watch while visitors eat.

At the end of the Desert Discovery Loop Trail, a blooming saguaro, ocotillo and Palo Verde tree springs up with Barnes Butte in the background. This time of year presents visitors with many different things to see and opportunities to learn about the desert in bloom.

Cactus, plants and trees bloom with Barnes Butte in the background.

Photos by Janice Semmel

The Highway Hotshop is a mobile glass studio.

“I’m one of the owners of this shop,” said Dopp. “We started this about a year ago.”

Dopp explains how he hauls the trailer with his truck to anywhere in the Valley. The trailer contains a molten furnace and an annealing oven on the back to cool the completed glass.

The Highway Hotshop sells some of their completed glass creations.

During the day, Dopp and Seth Fairweather demonstrated the art of making glass creations and explained the processes involved in making them.

Fairweather gathers glass to start a project.

While the artisans work, they talk to the spectators and reveal some information about themselves. Dopp has been blowing glass for 22 years while Fairweather has worked with glass for 10 years. Dopp and Frus both teach classes at Mesa Art Center. Both Dopp and Fairweather possess Master of Arts degrees.

Fairweather puts the glass in the glory hole.

The artisans prefer to work in teams. One starts the project and another finishes it. Dopp says, working in a team allows them to work more quickly.

Fairweather uses a Marver to shape the glass or to add colored glass to the piece.

Dopp and Fairweather worked together on a vase. Fairweather gathered glass, and as he worked, he put the glass into the 22,000 Fahrenheit glory hole, so he could work with the glass. He rolled it on the Marver to shape it and to add other colors to the glass.

Dopp and Fairweather work as a team on a vase.

Dopp adds more glass to the outside of the vase, and then he blows the glass as Fairweather shapes the vase. They work together and keep things light and fun as they work.

Dopp says, “Glass sticks to whatever is hot.”

“We preheat everything,” Fairweather adds. 

Dopp blows the glass as Fairweather shapes the vase.

“Glass is a tricky medium,” say Dopp, “because you don’t get to use your hands. You use something else as an extension of your hands.”

Fairweather swings the vase.

Fairweather uses a technique of swinging the vase. They say sometimes things don’t go as planned, so they need to have an alternate plan for what they make.

“When in doubt, spin it out,” says Dopp. “If you can’t make it better, make it bigger.” They both laugh as they talk.

Dopp and Fairweather work together to put finishing touches on the vase.

The team works together to put the finishing touches on the vase without damaging the fragile piece of glass.

Fairweather finishes the vase.

Finally, Fairweather finishes the vase and removes it from the pipe. He places the vase in the annealing oven to cool.

Dopp and Fairweather made a variety of things including a flower and a pair drinking glasses during their session. They explained all of the tools and techniques they used and answered audience questions. Dopp asked if audience members saw glass blown before, and one mentioned Dale Chihuly.

Visitors see the Chihuly "Desert Towers" as they enter the Desert Botanical Garden.

“Chihuly is a living treasure,” said Dopp.

Photos by Janice Semmel

Hikers begin their trek up Lookout Mountain from the parking lot at Lookout Mountain Park.

The trail from the Lookout Mountain Park parking lot has been well-worn, but I watched my step over the rocks and foliage that covered the way. Small lizards darted across the trail, but since it was noon, no other wildlife appeared.

Shadow Mountain rises to the east and the park lies below.

Saguaro and barrel cactus dot the landscape. Large unusual rock formations also show up along the trail. The trail appears pretty easy to negotiate, but contains some steep, rocky stretches along the way. It also accommodates only one hiker at a time with places to step off along the trail.

The saguaro skeleton occupies the south side of the trail.

Mountain vistas show up in any direction I turn. Clouds fill the sky and even though it’s just after noon, the temperature remains comfortable.

North Mountain rises to the south and on the left the Pointe of View restaurant nestles on a mountain peak.

North Mountain rises to the south and contains its own great hiking, biking and horseback riding trails. Nestled between the peaks across from North Mountain, the Different Point of View restaurant offers exclusive dining and mountain views.

Views to the west reveal Moon Valley and more mountains.

To the west lies the community of Moon Valley. Large homes dot the top of the mountains to the west.

The top of Lookout Mountain rises just north of the trail.

No, I didn’t make it to the top of Lookout Mountain today, but it didn’t really matter. I covered a lot of territory, got lots of photos and came a little closer to heaven.

More mountains loom to the northeast.

As I returned back down the trail, I saw more mountains to the northeast probably toward the Desert Ridge area. All of the areas around Lookout Mountain now contain homes. Years ago when I first scaled the moutain side each morning with my German shepherd, not many homes existed on either side of the mountain.

A unique saguaro stands along the lower portion of the trail.

This unique saguaro stands along the trail. I wonder what stories it could tell about the scars it carries and the people and animals that pass by it on a daily basis. Arizona represents Paradise for me, and I’m really lucky to live right in the middle of the mountainous, desert beauty.

Photos by Janice Semmel

Arizona State Capitol located in downtown Phoenix, Arizona.

On Thursday, Dec. 9, 2010, dignitaries along with descendants of the 52 original 1910 delegates, special guests and Arizona residents gathered in the Old Senate Chambers of the Arizona State Capitol Museum to celebrate the Arizona Constitutional Convention Centennial. Popular radio personality Dave Pratt welcomed a standing-room-only crowd to the 2 p.m. event.

Dave Pratt welcomes dignitaries and guests to the Arizona Constitutional Convention Centennial celebration.

“Yeah, this is a day of celebration; isn’t it?” said Pratt. “I love Arizona, how about you?” Pratt explained how 100 years ago 52 men representing every region in the Arizona territory met for two straight months in the room directly across the hall to form a document to take Arizona to statehood.-The Arizona Constitution.

Pratt asked the crowd to stand as the Arizona Rough Riders entered and presented the colors  Everyone remained standing as they said the Pledge of Allegiance. As the crowd took their seats, Pratt introduced the dignitaries present.

Gov. Janice Brewer addresses the crowd and reads the proclamation.

Gov. Janice Brewer took the podium and thanked volunteers for allowing her to participate in the celebration. She read the proclamation to commemorate the Constitutional Convention. She said, “Now wherefore I, Jan Brewer, governor of the state of Arizona do hereby proclaim Dec. 9, 2010 as a day to commemorate our 100th anniversary of the Arizona Constitutional Convention and encourage all residents to consider, review and appreciate the many blessings that have been bestowed upon us.”  

Marshall Trimble sings "I Love You Arizona."

Next up, Marshall Trimble, Arizona’s official state historian, played his guitar and sang “I Love You Arizona.” 

Gov. Jan Brewer, Secretary of State Ken Bennett and the Honorable Rebecca Albrecht surround 1863 document.

Secretary of State Ken Bennett said the celebration includes the 100th anniversary of the Arizona Constitution and the 52 men who gathered and “established the framework for the state we enjoy today.”

He read the simple preamble, “We the people of the State of Arizona grateful to our Almighty God for our liberties, do ordain this Constitution.”

The Arizona Constitution protects individual’s freedom like the United States Constitution, said Bennett. “Today we celebrate the rebellion of the place.”

Bennett introduced the Honorable Rebecca Albrecht, former judge of Maricopa County Superior Court. Albrecht on behalf of the Arizona Historical Foundation presented the state of Arizona with the organic document signed by President Abraham Lincoln on Aug. 21, 1863, which made Arizona a territory.

After the festivities conclude, Bennett encouraged everyone to come up and look at the document. He also encouraged the crowd to view the Capitol Museum exhibit honoring Arizona’s Constitution titled “We the People of Arizona.”

Jody Drake performs Sharlot Hall's poem "Arizona."

“Joining us in spirit from 100 years ago, Ms. Sharlot Hall,” said Pratt.

Jody Drake, decked out in appropriate 100 year-old western attire, portrayed the character of Sharlot Hall as she recited her poem, “Arizona.”

The festivities wound up with the presentation of the descendents of some of the 52 men, who hammered out Arizona’s Constitution in the fall of 1910. Guests gathered up front to see the organic document and then proceeded to the first floor of the museum to enjoy refreshments.

Photos by Janice Semmel

The new White Tank Library & Nature Center opened Nov. 13, 2010.

On Saturday, Nov. 13, 2010, Maricopa County Parks and the Maricopa County Library District dedicated the new, environmentally friendly White Tank Library and Nature Center. Located just outside the entrance to White Tank Mountain Regional Park, patrons visit the nature center and gift shop, browse through the library or sit outside and enjoy the panoramic views.

The 29,000 square foot facility blends in with the surrounding area.

The 29,000 square foot facility blends into the surrounding desert area, but houses an approximately 3,000 square foot nature center with a gift shop and a library with views of the surrounding White Tank Mountains and desert.

The facility houses a large 3,000 square foot Park Nature Center.

Visitors experience views from the outdoor patio, park benches and windows inside the facility.

Visitors relax on a patio outside or on park benches where they enjoy snacks from vending machines or the gift shop inside. Visitors also walk a path lined with White Tank Mountain Medicinal Native Plants.  The facilities close proximity to Luke Air Force Base also allows glimpses of fighter jets as they fly overhead.

A sign on a path outside the facility identifies White Tank Mountain medicinal native plants.

Desert creatures on display in the Park Nature Center include the blacktail rattlesnake.

The gift shop contains Arizona apparel, snacks, books and souvenirs. Volunteers help visitors and talk to them about the desert creatures housed in aquariums behind glass. The creatures include a Gila monster, tarantulas and rattlesnakes.

The Park Nature Center gift shop not only sells gifts but also contains fascinating wildlife and Arizona displays.

This YouTube video produced by Maricopa County Office of Communications explains the planning and building of the White Tank Library and Nature Center.

Photos by Janice Semmel

YouTube  courtesy of Maricopa County Office of Communications

Herberger Theater Center opened Oct. 1 after a summer renovation.

Built in 1989, the Phoenix Point of Pride came to the Valley to maintain and nurture the growth of the arts in Phoenix. The Herberger contains three theaters - Center Stage, Stage West and The Kax Stage. 

The Herberger Theater Center became a Phoenix Point of Pride.

Three resident companies call the Herberger home. They include Actors Theatre, Arizona Theatre Company and Center Dance Ensemble. Valley Youth Theatre and iTheatre Collaborative also perform at the Herberger. 

The Herberger Theater Center supports three theaters and three resident companies.

During the current season, patrons enjoy performances like “Backwards in High Heels: The Ginger Musical,” ”New Beginnings” and “Romeo and Juliet.” 

The Herberger Theater Center offers a full slate of performances.

Photos by Janice Semmel

The Arizona 9/11 Memorial resides at Wesley Bolin Plaza.

Since 9/11 passed, I decided to write about the Arizona 9/11 Memorial this week, and if someone wants to make a negative comment, so be it. A politician, who I won’t even bother to name, brought the memorial into controversy shortly after its dedication in 2006. Unfortunately, the stigma never went away. 

The Governor's Arizona 9-11 Memorial Commission appointed by two Arizona governors.

When I visit the 9/11 Memorial, I get nothing but inspiration from it. Sure some of the comments that were etched into the metal halo represented comments that we might not want to recognize, but the whole construction of the piece and the many people whose ideas went into it represent everything American-ingenuity and freedom of speech. 

The sun shines through the halo and phrases appear on the concrete below.

The monument contains a piece of steel taken from the World Trade Center and rests on a concrete base which includes rubble and dust from the Pentagon and ground from Shanksville, Pa. 

A piece of steel from the World Trade Center rests on a concrete base containing rubble and dust from the Pentagon and ground from Shanksville, Pa.

Even though this memorial may be labeled controversial, I find it comforting to have a place to remember what happen on September 11, 2001. The inscriptions may be unacceptable to some, but I find they represent the diverse opinions held by all Americans. The thought behind the memorial and the items included in it represent everyone’s opinion. We will never forget! 

The Arizona 9/11 Memorial contains remembrances from September 11, 2001.

Photos by Janice Semmel