Julian Lennon honors his mom, the environment in kids’ book
LUMINARIA DECORATING FUNDRAISER
WHEN: 3 to 5 p.m. WHERE: Yuma Regional Cancer Center, 2nd Floor Legacy Room, 2375 Ridgeview Drive GOING ON: To celebrate cancer survivors and remember loved ones lost to cancer; Tower 3-Busy Bees team will have a luminaria bag decorating session; bags, supplies and refreshments provided with your donation; make it yourself or team will make it for you; decorated bags will be displayed at the Yuma Relay for Life event April 29 at Desert Sun Stadium INFO: Call (928) 336-4969
LEGAL CLINIC
WHEN: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. WHERE: Yuma Justice Center, Jury Assembly Room, 250 W. 2nd St. GOING ON: There is a legal procedure to have a criminal convection dismissed or “set aside;” in collaboration with the Law Office of Richard Edgar, this clinic will include an informational portion followed by assistance in filling out the necessary paperwork; criminal offenses can usually be set aside provided all jail or prison time has been served, all fines and restitution paid and any probation or parole is completed; free, open to public
KAWC SCIENCE TALK
WHEN: 3 to 4:30 p.m. WHERE: AWC Schoening Conference Center, AWC Yuma Campus GOING ON: The purpose of exploring Arizona’s unique contributions in a number of science-related areas, including environmental science, agriculture and space race; Arizona Science Desk will serve as a discussion panel, addressing these topics plus the future of science reporting in Arizona and fielding questions from attendees; free to attend, reservations not required INFO: Call Steven Hennig at (928) 314-9547 or email steven.hennig@ kawc.org
YUMA PRISON RUN
WHEN: Registration open 10 a.m. today to 5 p.m. Saturday; everyone needs to be out of fairgrounds by noon Sunday WHERE: Yuma County Fairgrounds, 2520 E. 32nd St. GOING ON: Norwalk Centaurs Motorcycles presents the 56th annual Yuma Prison Run; open to all motorcycles with activities including live music, dancing with the Sam Morrison Band, Tommy and the Drifters, family bingo, bike games, 50/50 drawing, ride-in bike show, Victor McLaglen Motor Corps, drill team, escorted procession to the Territorial Prison Museum; children’s activities sponsored by the Christian Motorcycle Association; tent and open air camping included with paid donation; participants under 18 must be accompanied by parent or legal guardian; funds go to ARC of Yuma County, Amberly’s Place and the United Yuma Firefighter’s Child Burn Survivor Program COST: At the gate adults $35, children 7-12 $20, 6 and under free park admission only; cash only, no checks or cards INFO: Call Kent (Huey) at (661) 245-3932
THE INVINCIBLES
WHEN: 7 to 9 p.m. WHERE: Yuma High School, Snider Auditorium, 400 6th Ave. GOING ON: Jazz of Yuma presents The Invincibles, based on the animated movie The Incredibles; directed by Dawn Atherton; dress as your favorite superhero and cheer the superheros as they thwart the evil Syndrome; tickets available at Jazz of Yuma, Dawn’s Dance Studio, 1301 S. 3rd Ave. COST: General prepay $8; general at door $10; VIP $15 INFO: Call Dawn Atherton at (928) 329-6868 or email dawnsdance@ yahoo.com
JAZZ NIGHTS
WHEN: 7 to 9 p.m. WHERE: Julieanna’s Patio Cafe, 1951 W. 25th St. GOING ON: Phoenix guitarist/vocalist Pete Pancrazi will be featured; sponsored by KAWC FM/AM; no admission charge
YUMA PRISON RUN
WHEN: Registration open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. today; everyone needs to be out of fairgrounds by noon Sunday WHERE: Yuma County Fairgrounds, 2520 E. 32nd St. GOING ON: Norwalk Centaurs Motorcycles presents the 56th annual Yuma Prison Run; open to all motorcycles with activities including live music, dancing with the Sam Morrison Band, Tommy and the Drifters, family bingo, bike games, 50/50 drawing, ride-in bike show, Victor McLaglen Motor Corps, drill team, escorted procession to the Territorial Prison Museum; dinner includes barbecue chicken or tri-tip with all the fixings, catered by Yuma Youth Hockey League; children’s activities sponsored by the Christian Motorcycle Association; tent and open air camping included with paid donation; participants under 18 must be accompanied by parent or legal guardian; funds go to ARC of Yuma County, Amberly’s Place and the United Yuma Firefighter’s Child Burn Survivor Program COST: At the gate adults $35, children 7-12 $20, 6 and under free park admission only; cash only, no checks or cards INFO: Call Kent at (661) 245-3932
MONEY MANAGEMENT WORKSHOP
WHEN: 1 to 3 p.m. WHERE: Main Library, 2951 S. 21st Drive GOING ON: Best practices - investing: an educational session on investing basics and how investing can help you at any income level; workshop will have question and answer session, worksheet handout INFO: Visit moneysmartweek.org
ARTBEAT 9
WHEN: 4 to 9 p.m. WHERE: Historic downtown GOING ON: A free, juried outdoor exhibit that’s been recognized as one of Arizona’s outstanding arts events with an eclectic mix of local, regional and international artists working a variety of media INFO: Call (928) 373-5202 or visit YumaAZ.gov
THE INVINCIBLES
(See April 21)
NEW YORK — Julian Lennon is looking to nurture a new generation’s commitment to the environment, with a little help from a white feather.
The firstborn son of the late John Lennon has co-authored “Touch the Earth,” a picture book for kids as young as 3 about the world’s water problems, from polluted oceans to the need for clean drinking water in the developing world.
Out later this month, the book from Sky Pony Press has a group of kids loaded into a plane called the White Feather Flier as they span the globe and learn about the need for filtration, irrigation and ocean life protection. With illustrations created both by hand and computer, it’s the first of three children’s books he plans, in line with the environmental and humanitarian work of his White Feather Foundation.
“We’ve failed miserably in looking after our environment. I think this is a great way to approach children into realizing what’s at stake, and to help educate and help them make decisions about the right things to do for the future,” Lennon said in a recent interview with The Associated Press.
“It’s for those with inquiring minds who are asking why?”
Lennon has taken on environmental issues in song, including his 1991 “Saltwater,” and in film, including the 2006 documentary “Whaledreamers,” covering a gathering of indigenous and tribal leaders that explores connections among whales, dolphins and humanity.
Appealing to the next generation of prospective eco-warriors grew out of his friendship with co-writer Bart Davis after the two put aside plans — for now — for the 54-year-old Lennon to write a biography. But he hasn’t completely abandoned the idea.
So what’s up with the white feather for Lennon, the former Beatle’s son with his first wife, Cynthia? He shares the story at the back of the book.
“On the odd occasion when I saw dad he mentioned once that should he ever pass, a way he would let me know that he was OK, or that we were all going to be OK, would be in the form of a white feather,” Lennon explained. “I thought that quite peculiar. I told mum about it, too, and we just sort of went on with life.”
Later, while on tour in Australia, he was presented with a white swan feather by an aboriginal tribal elder of the Mirning people.
“It was a freaky moment, but one I took to heart immediately,” he said. “I realized that this was about stepping up to the plate now and, you know, I can sing all I want about this stuff but am I actually going to do something about it? So I spent 10 years making a documentary about the Mirning people.”
It’s also when he established his foundation, visiting Ethiopia with the head of a clean water initiative and touring schools and health clinics in Kenya. A portion of the books’ proceeds will go the foundation, which now does a range of work, including providing scholarships for girls in Kenya.