Often when I’m doing my morning walk, I listen to my iTunes library on shuffle. The other morning a song came up that I had not heard in a long time; in fact, I had forgotten I even had it — “Everybody’s Free (To Wear Sunscreen).” The words for this song came from an essay written as a hypothetical commencement speech by columnist Mary Schmich, originally published in June 1997 in the Chicago Tribune. The essay became the basis for a successful spoken word song released in 1999 by Baz Luhrmann.
“Ugh, I don’t wear sunscreen. I don’t need it. (Gulps, takes deep breath). Listen to me carefully: everyone, every skin color, every tone, every ethnicity, and almost every age — needs sunscreen. You need it for two reasons: first, because it prevents skin cancer, and second, because it prevents premature aging. If you’re wearing a mask, brushing your teeth, taking care of yourself — you gotta add in sunscreen.” (NPR)
I haven’t always listened to this advice. Over the last decade, I have begun to experience the result of too much sun without using sunscreen. In trying to make up for lost time, I see a dermatologist twice a year. I have had several skin cancers, all squamous cell carcinoma, all treatable.
Kenne Turner, David W. Lazaroff, Steve Plevel, and Bob Barnacastle
Yesterday I was honored to be MC at the graduation event for sixteen new naturalists, which included recognizing the founders of the Sabino Canyon Volunteer Naturalists (SCVN), David W. Lazaroff, Steve Plevel and Bob Barnacastle. In 1977 these guys began formulating what became SCVN. It was a pleasure to stand along side of such giants in our organization.Their continuing support is a reflection of the quality of SCVN.
Big THANKS to all who made yesterday’s event a great success.
Completion of the 2011 Sabino Canyon Volunteer Naturalists (SCVN) Training was celebrated yesterday by naturalists and graduates at the Udall Center in Tucson. This annual event recognizes the new graduates and welcome them into the community of naturalists who are specially trained to interpret the natural history of the Sonoran Desert and the riparian area surrounding Sabino Creek. After being welcomed by SCVN Training Class Coordinator, Bill Kaufman, President, Dan Granger and Vice President of Elementary, Judi Pelster, Stan Helin, District Ranger, Catalina District was the guest speaker. His charge to the Class of 2011 was:
“ . . . you be that little breath of wind that catches them; and you be that sparkle of sunlight that stops them; you be what they remember as a threshold moment as they move into adulthood.”
(The posted video contain a few clips from his presentation.)
Following Stan’s talk, Beryl Varno, Class of 2011, spoke for the class, delivering the following poem: (Read to the song, “Nearness of You”, by Hoagy Carmichael.)
It’s not the Gneiss rocks that excite me Nor the fault lines that entice me Oh no…it’s just SCVN and it’s you
It’s not Predacious Diving Beetles in shallow pools or the larva of mosquitoes, nymphs, or the gold of fools Oh no…it’s more the Nature of school
When we wear our vests the Canyon is ours to share And Sabino is in our care As her stewards may we always be true
It’s not the lightning or the thunder when it rains that fills me with wonder Oh no….it’s evapotransporation and it’s you
It’s not the orientation of the spines or the needles or the warning coloration of the beetles oh no….it’s more the dedication of you
When we wander the trails with children so close to us In the canyon we’re building trust In their eyes you can see this is true
It’s not the gobs of information or the homework mixed with mild frustration oh no…..I think I speak for me and for you
It’s not the Gneiss rocks that excite me Nor the fault lines that entice me Oh no……it’s the dedication of you
This weekend we flew to Denver and drove an hour up to Ft. Collins to attend Matt’s graduation from Colorado State University and spend time with family.
Kenne Turner, David W. Lazaroff, Steve Plevel, and Bob Barnacastle
Becoming is Superior to Being 