February 21, 2025

REMINDER: YOUR SUBMISSIONS ARE ENCOURAGED

Overview for this week.

1. In Around Town, Tucson is celebrating the 100th anniversary of La Fiesta de los Vaqueros and the Tucson Rodeo Parade, the longest non-motorized parade in the country.

2. In Travel, I have something for readers who wish to cowboy up and take a dude ranch vacation.

3. Continuing with the Western theme of the previous two items, I'm reposting a popular Reader Submission from The Flock Archives, "Una Corrida Especial: A Special Round-up," written by Dino DeConcini.

4. The Hindu pilgrimage festival, Kumbh Mela, is the largest gathering of people worldwide. I have an essay on this celebration suggested by a Flock reader.

5. I have a new illustration, the first for 2025, from The Flock's spiritual teacher, Dr. Hayward M. Fox's Blog at the Institute of Personal and Transpersonal Knowledge.

6. In Wellness, I have an article on a new test that could improve asthma treatment from another excellent issue of Sensitive & Specific: The Testing Newsletter.

7. In Nature, I have another whale video this week. In this one, a humpback whale finds kayakers taste a little strange, and it's best to spit them out.

Now, to this week's Flock.

This past Thursday was the centennial edition of the Tucson Rodeo Parade, the longest non-motorized parade in the nation. The parade is the crowning community event of Tucson's La Fiesta de los Vaqueros, a week-long celebration of the rodeo tradition in Tucson. This commemoration of Tucson's Western tradition is so important to the community that schoolchildren enjoy a two-day holiday on the Thursday and Friday of the festival so they can attend the parade and rodeo.

From: Tucson Rodeo Parade & Wagon History Museum

The Tucson Rodeo Parade originated in February 1925. At that time, it preceded the Tucson Rodeo and was a one-day event, both of which were conceived with the thought that they could benefit Tucson’s economy by attracting tourists. The plan worked! Now, 100 years later, the parade is still rollin' strong!

Tucson Rodeo Parade Sizzle

Raoul Dufy - Tucson Rodeo from the February 3, 2023 issue of The Flock

From: TucsonRodeo.com

Tucson's La Fiesta de los Vaqueros, established in 1925, marked the city's frontier spirit amidst Prohibition. Arizona State Prohibition Director Frank Pool led a pre-rodeo cleanup, capturing 25 stills and destroying 3000 gallons of moonshine. The inaugural event, conceptualized by Leighton Kramer, aimed to showcase Tucson's Wild West allure and attract winter visitors.

The rodeo's early days saw creative prizes like a 750-lb. block of ice and a "Big Cactus" ham. Kramer's vision of reviving the Old Frontier spirit was realized as locals and tourists alike enjoyed the rodeo parade and dance. The event's success led to its expansion, with Hollywood even using the Tucson Rodeo as a backdrop for films. Today, the Tucson Rodeo stands as one of North America's top professional rodeo events, with the Tucson Rodeo Committee honored for its contributions to the sport.

If the Tucson Rodeo Parade makes you want to cowboy up yourself, I can recommend the Circle Z Ranch in Patagonia, Arizona, southeast of Tucson.

From: Circle Z Ranch

Sharing the Traditions and Spirit of the Old West Since 1926

The crackle of a campfire. The creak of a leather saddle. Breathe taking vistas without end. Welcome to Circle Z Ranch, an all-inclusive vacation experience that will envelop you in a time and place when days were spent on horseback and nights under a blaze of stars. Explore over 5000 acres of private riding trails that traverse onto national forest and state lands in the heart of Southern Arizona’s Sky Islands. Our meals are cooked from scratch using the freshest of ingredients. Our Spanish style accommodations are immaculately appointed for the ultimate in relaxation. With a maximum capacity of 35 guests, we provide personalized experiences in all aspects of ranch life. Immerse yourself in the experiences that keep guests coming back time and time again.

I originally posted this last March when Dino first offered to let me run it. After getting many requests from readers to repost the story, I ran it again last September. I still get requests to run it again, and this week, I am doing just that.

By: Dino DeConcini

The trip began at dawn when they picked me up in their Chevy Crew Cab (five passenger pickup), loaded with equipment and provisions for the ranch and the roundup. Two hours later we crossed into Sonora at Douglas/Agua Prieta, where the friendly and courteous Mexican Customs and Immigration authorities, respectfully yet firmly, relieved us of all our fresh organic fruit and 294 pesos each for Julia and my tourist permits. Charles and Linda have permanent status and seemed to know everyone, and Charles was greeted there and everywhere with abrazos like a longlost relative.

For all my trips to Mexico, especially Sonora, I had never been in the northeast part of that state except for one visit to Valer and Josiah Austin's dramatically restored lands of former cattle ranches along the border east of Agua Prieta.

A Flock reader and dear friend of mine, Bindu Shroff, forwarded this Facebook post about the Hindu pilgrimage festival Kumbh Mela, which is celebrated every 6, 12, and 144 years. This year's festival, the 2025 Prayag Maha Kumbh Mela, observed from January 13th through February 26th, marks the completion of a 12 Kumbh Mela cycle, or 144 years. Khalid Umar, a Pakistani-born lawyer based in the UK, penned the following Facebook post about this year's gathering.

From: Facebook, By: Khalid Umar, January 17, 2025

It’s pure joy and ecstasy. No animal sacrifices, no bloodshed, no uniform, no violence, no politics, no conversions, no sects, no segregation, no trade, no business. it's Hinduism.

Nowhere else Humans ever congregate(d) for a single event in such a number; be that religious, sports, war, funeral or festivity. It’s always been the Kumbh Mela and this year it’s Maha Kumbh, which is celebrated every 144 years. The world of statistics look with awe at the statistics; 400 million people over 44 days, over 15 million taking the holy dip on the first day, a temporary city across 4,000 hectares, 150,000 tents, 3,000 kitchens, 145,000 restrooms, with 40,000 security personnel, 2,700 AI-enabled cameras, etc. These are mind boggling statistics but is not what makes me wonder. 

My Awe is Not About Materialism, Statistics or Physical Aspects of the Event

It’s not about what our eyes can see. It’s not about size or numbers. What amazes me is (what we call ancient) knowledge of the humanity’s connection with the universe. 

It amazes me that its rituals are performed with reference to the alignment, positioning and timing of the celestial bodies in the heavens signifying human relationship with the Cosmos and its physical and spiritual effect on human destiny and future. Its has no power structure or political polity driving it. It’s indigenous to the faith. It’s not about an organised religion. It’s not about a hierarchy. 

This Hindus Dharma’s understanding of the humanity’s relationship with the universe, from vegetation (under our feet) to the stars (in the milky way) is an evidence of the advanced knowledge in Hinduism which has extraterrestrial roots & connections. The meditating Sadhus’ consciousness is able to reach frontiers beyond space & time. It breaks the illusion of duality of me & the universe.

Beyond material Science

I think today’s space travel through rockets is a primitive technology. Our physical bodies are not us. We don’t need to physically travel anywhere as once we understand that we are souls having a physical experience, from localised particles, we become infinite, part of the whole, present everywhere, as entangled particles exhibit; distance and time barriers lose existence. When we become pure consciousness; part of the divine light; timeless and formless. 

It’s the awe when Sadhus of Himalayas and Quantum mechanics take a holy dip together in the vast ocean of knowledge. It’s not enough to say that Hinduism is aligned with nature. There is no duality; it’s nature itself. Being a Hindu is coming back to your natural state.

I can always rely on Dr. Fox for simple and helpful advice. This week, I found this from his latest newsletter in my inbox. It brought me a smile and some peace.

From: Institute of Personal and Transpersonal Knowledge, By: Dr. Hayward M.Fox

Here is a new article from Sensitive & Specific: The Testing Newsletter. In this issue Mara & Liz tell us about a research that has found a biomarker that can indicate if you are at risk for Long COVID,an update on the spread of bird Flu, and a noninvasive test that could improve asthma treatment. Subscribe here.

From: Sensitive & Specific: The Testing Newsletter, Volume 11, Issue 6, By Mara G. Aspinall and Liz Ruark, February 6, 2025

A couple of weeks ago we reported on the discovery of a biomarker that could enable development of a simple blood test to distinguish asthma from other respiratory disorders. Such diagnosis is a high priority when patients, especially children, suffer acute attacks. In another recent study, researchers were able to distinguish between asthma subtypes in youths aged 6 to 20 using a nasal swab as a sample. This matters because the treatment for asthma can vary significantly, depending on what subtype of asthma it is.

The study identified three asthma subgroups. The groups are based on the expression of genes for different kinds of helper T cells (part of the immune system):

1. T2high: Genes for T helper 2 cells highly expressed
2. T17high: Genes for T helper 17 cells highly expressed
3. T2low/T17low: Low expression of genes for both types of T helper cells

T2high has long been thought to be predominant, and scientists also thought that allergies were particularly common in this group. As it turns out, both of those statements were wrong, based on the predominantly Puerto Rican and Black youths who took part in the study. (These groups have some of the highest rates of asthma in the US.)

That’s important for two reasons. First, several monoclonal antibody (mAb) drugs work well only in T2high folks. The study showed that those folks only account for about a third of asthmatics, so mAbs don’t need to be prescribed as frequently as we thought. Second, the study found that about half the people in all three groups have at least one allergy. So antihistamines - which help manage allergy symptoms - may end up being effective in more people than we thought.

COMMENTARY: This is a striking example of the virtuous circle of diagnostics and treatment - where diagnostics identify subgroups responsive to a particular drug pathway, and in turn the development of effective drugs can be focused on the patients most likely to respond. (There are drugs in clinical trials (JAK inhibitors) which should help people in the T17high group.)

Sunday was World Whale Day. Last week, along with an article explaining this international day to celebrate whales, I reposted a video of humpback whales from Flock reader Tara Fulgenzi. This week, I have the story of a kayaker who got closer to a humpback whale than he intended.

From: The Oregonian, By: The Associated Press, February 14, 2025

A humpback whale briefly swallowed a kayaker off Chilean Patagonia before quickly releasing him unharmed. The incident, caught on camera, quickly went viral.

Last Saturday, Adrián Simancas was kayaking with his father, Dell, in Bahía El Águila near the San Isidro Lighthouse in the Strait of Magellan when a humpback whale surfaced, engulfing Adrián and his yellow kayak for a few seconds before letting him go.

Last Saturday, Adrián Simancas was kayaking with his father, Dell, in Bahía El Águila near the San Isidro Lighthouse in the Strait of Magellan when a humpback whale surfaced, engulfing Adrián and his yellow kayak for a few seconds before letting him go.

Dell, just yards away, captured the moment on video while encouraging his son to stay calm.

“Stay calm, stay calm,” he can be heard saying after his son was released from the whale’s mouth.

“I thought I was dead,” Adrián told The Associated Press. “I thought it had eaten me, that it had swallowed me.”

credit: NASA/ESA/Hubble Heritage Team

The Horsehead Nebula

These Flock regulars are always here for you:

Cita Scott for paintings, photography, and culinary art. Cita will be in and out of town all summer. Don't hesitate to give her a jingle. (520) 404-1551

Kimberly GomER, MS, RD/LDN

Registered and licensed Dietitian/Nutritionist. Find me on my website at KimberlyGomer.com for information about nutrition coaching.

Sarah Smallhouse & Make Elections Fair ArIzona

– Sign the petition here

Sensitive & Specific: The Testing Newsletter by Mara G. Aspinall and Liz Ruark. Mara is always here to help in understanding testing knowledge and how it's being applied.

Kyria Sabin of Fletcher Pilates,

(520) 323-7070

The Fabric Jeanie!

Tap to learn more. 

(520) 245-0589

Linda Collazo, mezzo-soprano

for piano and voice lessons

Andres Valbuena, drum selection, drum basics, and more.

Dr. Hayward M. Fox, Ph.D.

The institute of Personal andTranspersonal Knowledge

Tucson Village Farm:

Vegetaable growing in the summer heat.

The Physio Shop,

Elite physical therapy services and more.

Icebox Cryotherapy,

Icebox Tucson’s unique enhancers allow you to be your best version! 

Nathan Anderson of Catalina Acupuncture

(520) 999-0080

Don't Be Shy: Share Your Stories!

I'm looking forward to sharing more of your personal stories - oral, written, or otherwise, as we enter our third year. I'd so love to present them to The Flock, hit a mailbox below to share your story.

Holualoa Ed Fit Wellness & Culture 2

520-818-4433

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