City Week

The Science of Dowsing

Dowsing supposedly empowers people to locate water, plants, minerals and other substances with tools like rods and pendulums, which can help one tune into energy lines and the Earth's magnetic field. The practice has existed in various forms for thousands of years, and is said to have originated as a way of divining the will of the gods.

According to dowsers of today, it has many uses--from finding lost objects to predicting the future to achieving physical, psychological and spiritual enhancement.

Nancy Sharpnack of the Tucson chapter of the American Society of Dowsers uses dowsing to help her make decisions--just recently, she found a great gardener using nothing more than the classified ads and her trusty pendulum.

"It's sort of like: We really know everything on a subliminal level, but we just can't access it normally," she explains. "Dowsing helps us do that."

If you don't quite buy this, you should know that dowsing is thought by many to have a perfectly legitimate scientific basis. In fact, Wallace G. Heath, who'll be lecturing this weekend at the invitation of the Tucson dowsers, has a doctorate in zoology with minors in physics and mathematics--and he's one of the most avid dowsers you'll ever meet. Sharpnack says that Heath has done some experiments and finds that if you shield the kidney region and the head, dowsing doesn't work. He postulates that it has something to do with the pineal gland and possibly the adrenals.

A potluck will follow the lecture, and coffee and tea will be provided. There's a suggested donation of $5 to get into the lecture, and it may be worth it--as Sharpnack points out, "Heath claims he can find minerals like gold and things. So that might be a good motivation." --A.M.

A Dog's Life

All dogs deserve love--but some get a lot less than others. Many racing greyhounds, for instance, get little or no love throughout their careers. They spend most of their time either being carted around, living in tiny enclosures or running in all kinds of weather. Their bodies are often pushed to the limit, and they've been known to suffer abuse, which often goes undiscovered, except by those who find the dogs later.

Finally, once their racing days are over, many greyhounds end up dead.

That's where greyhound adoption groups come in--groups like our own Arizona Greyhound Rescue, a nonprofit that's adopted out at least 800 greyhounds since the organization's inception in 1994. They take in ex-racing greyhounds, regardless of their condition (some have broken bones) and provide them with rehabilitation and complete care, including shots, spaying or neutering, feeding, walking--and lots of petting. The dogs live in a Marana kennel and are looked after by volunteers until they're either adopted or accepted into foster homes. None are ever put down, and no greyhound in need is ever turned away.

"They need us, because ... what's their alternative?" asks Arizona Greyhound Rescue's communications director, Karyn Zoldan (who's also a regular Weekly contributor). "These animals, to me, are so enduring--they're survivors. They've been through so much, and they give so much, and they love to be loved. Through our group, they come into a home, and they experience a soft bed and a human touch. And they're like love sponges."

If you'd like to help out Arizona Greyhound Rescue, be sure to come to their fundraising yard sale this Saturday. There will be all kinds of great stuff, including furniture, clothing, women's accessories and lots of books. "It's good stuff," declares Zoldan. "And every dime goes directly to the dogs." --A.M.

Cure Through Bellydance

Back in October, Kathy Vanderwood found herself in the emergency room with bad neck and head pain. Vanderwood was soon diagnosed with a rare form of cancer called osteosarcoma, which occupied a large portion of her thyroid in a mass the size of a tennis ball. In December, cancer similar to that in her neck was discovered in her lungs. Upon discovering her cancer through a CT scan and a PET scan, Vanderwood says her physician remarked: "We're in uncharted territory, folks."

An avid member of the bellydance community, Vanderwood is being honored in a community show at the Black Rose Caffe to support her in her struggle with cancer and raise money for her medical bills. The show will provide people a chance to support Vanderwood's cause, and to get to know each other and discover the world of bellydance.

Beth Biller, a member of the bellydance community, says that this is the first community show that they have done.

"It just made a lot of sense considering Kathy and her condition," said Biller.

Biller says there will be about 16 performances, ranging in skill from beginner to professional, displaying a spectrum of styles, from cabaret to tribal. Vanderwood's daughter will be bellydancing in the community show, too.

Vanderwood will be present if she is not in the hospital, said Biller.

This show to honor Vanderwood is open to the public, and the suggested donation is $5. All proceeds collected from the event will go to Vanderwood. People interested in bellydancing in the show can email Beth Biller. --K.H.

Blooming Art

Looking for a way to spruce up your garden? The Tucson Botanical Gardens is holding the yearly Art in Bloom public sale and exhibition of garden art produced by Arizonan artists. This year, Art in Bloom will feature more than 70 pieces of art in a retail sale, different from the auction sale that has been conducted during the past several years.

By showcasing the art in a retail sale and not an auction, art lovers will be able to purchase and take home their pieces the same day, said director of communications Tana Jones.

"It's all art that you would be able to put in your garden," said Jones. "Everything from metal art to birdhouses."

The Art in Bloom opening reception will offer music, as well as tea and desserts within the gardens where the art will be displayed. People attending the event on Sunday will have the opportunity to speak with the regional artists themselves. Jones said that all who attend on Sunday will also have a first look at the art that will be showcased in the public sale and exhibition through April 2.

The public sale and exhibition is also a fundraiser, and a portion of proceeds from the sales will go toward supporting the Tucson Botanical Gardens' mission of appropriately treating plants in a desert environment.

"This is a great way to support wonderful Tucson art and the Tucson Botanical Gardens as well," said Jones.

The opening reception on Sunday is free to TBG members and $10 for the public. After that, the Botanical Gardens' regular admission fees apply: $5 for adults, $2.50 for children 6-12 and free for kids 5 and younger. Head on over to the Tucson Botanical Gardens, and show your appreciation for garden art! --K.H.