That's all it took, adds Dick Myers, who will share his art Wednesday in an event at the Western National Parks Association store in Oro Valley.
"Early in life I learned finger-weaving from Indian friends," Myers said. "It was from this base I became interested in the early Spanish American textiles of the Southwest.
"I have woven sashes, blankets, rebozos, and other textiles for collectors of historical memorabilia, Native Americans, Buck skinners, historic re-enactors throughout North America and Europe. Most of my weaving is custom work. All of the weaving is researched and documented for period accuracy."
The Western National Parks Association is a nonprofit organization that supports national parks. Myers' talk is one in a series sponsored by the store, which sells books, posters and native artwork and crafts.
The event, which starts at noon, is free. The store is located at 12880 N. Vistoso Village Drive, off of Rancho Vistoso and Innovation Park Drive in Oro Valley. Rancho Vistoso is the light north of Tangerine on Oracle Road. Seating is limited. For reservations, call 622-6014.
WAVE THE FLAG. If you're in the mood for some serious patriotism, visit Fort Huachuca on the Fourth of July for a full day of free activities.
The fort's finest will be on hand with a wide variety of army displays beginning at 9 a.m. at Veterans' Memorial Park. Soldiers will share their knowledge throughout the day regarding the equipment they work with on a daily basis. Some of the special attractions include a full-scale Unmanned Aerial Vehicle complete with Ground Control Station and Ground Data Terminal from the 111th Military Intelligence Brigade.
The Fort Huachuca Military Police K-9 Dog Demonstration is scheduled for 10 a.m. and 11 a.m. in the back of Veterans' Memorial Park. Spectators can watch the dogs maneuver through obstacle courses, demonstrate attacks and perform basic obedience tests.
B Troop, 4th U.S. Cavalry Regiment (Memorial) represents the history of the U.S. Army in the 1880s of the Southwest. Soldiers dressed in authentic wool uniforms will provide free pony rides beginning at 10 a.m. at the west end of the park.
The July 4th Salute to the Nation begins at 11:30 a.m. at the band shell in Veterans' Memorial Park. Sierra Vista Rotary President Bill Miller will open the ceremony.
The 36th Army Band performing patriotic medleys kicks off evening activities at 7 p.m. on Stone Field, located off Coronado Drive past the Sierra Vista Library on Tacoma Street.
All activities are free of charge. Visitors from Tucson should take I-10 East to Exit 302 and follow Highway 90. For more information, call 520-533-1285.
TELLING TALES. If children are the future, we had better teach them a bit about the environment.
Sabino Canyon Volunteer Naturalists intend to do just that, presenting weekly stories about desert ecology to children ages 4-6 years. Story time will be followed by a puppet program and craft activities.
Story time is 9 to 10:30 a.m. Wednesdays through July at the Sabino Canyon Visitor Center, 5700 N. Sabino Canyon Road. The Visitor Center is open, but the recreation area remains closed. For more information, call 749-8700.
