Arizona poets spreading the word on social media

Arizona poets are taking to YouTube, Twitter and Pinterest to share their work with fans. Instant access to poetry via social media has been a “game changer,” said Christopher Owens, a poet from Phoenix known online as “Truth B. Told.” Owens, who is most active on YouTube, said social media instantly creates a larger audience…

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Culinary schools turn unemployed into chefs

The kitchen is crowded as students rush to make salads, fresh mozzarella, and Italian potato dumplings for their daily family meal. Caridad Community Kitchen in Tucson is not the average culinary training program. The students have little to no income and are interested in a fresh start, said Jon Wirtis, executive chef and instructor. “We do have people…

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Goat dairies on the rise in Arizona

Arizona’s mountains are attracting goat dairies, creating a new market of award-winning artisan cheeses.

Since 2003, when the first commercial goat dairy was certified in Arizona, five more have emerged, totaling about 600 goats producing milk and cheese under state regulation.

“Goats are fun,” said Kathryn Heininger, co-owner of Arizona’s first certified goat dairy, Black Mesa Ranch, in Snowflake. “They are like big, productive puppy dogs.”

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Music therapy for Arizona veterans

In 1966, Wes Ricks, then 19, was a river rat plying the waters of Vietnam while serving in the Navy. “We were getting shot at all the time,” said Ricks, now a professional musician from Phoenix.  Ricks knew what he wanted to do when he returned home. “When I was going into Indochina to serve over…

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