Leonard Nimoy, best known for his role as Mr. Spock on Star Trek, was approached by his son on the possibility of doing a film on Spock for the 50th anniversary of Star Trek next year. They worked on the project until his unfortunate passing in February. Adam Nimoy now seeks to complete the film not only as a tribute to Spock, but as a tribute to his father.
Adam is a director in his own right having directed episodes of Star Trek: The Next Generation, Babylon 5, Sliders and other non-science fiction shows.
In order to complete the film in time, Adam turned to the Kickstarter funding web site. The father and son team had already chosen 455 Films to produce the film and had contacted several of the Star Trek actors to be interviewed for the film. Zachary Quinto, the current Spock in the recent feature films, has agreed to narrate the film.
Kickstarter offers several donation levels from $5 on up, but some of the higher level offers are already sold out.
WICKENBURG — For the past several months, a five-mile widening project on US 93 approximately three miles north of Wickenburg has been under way. Next week, beginning on Tuesday, June 30 through Wednesday, July 1, crews will be working on the existing roadway of US 93 at both ends of the project (mileposts 185 and 190) which will require a single lane restriction between 5 a.m. to 6 p.m. Delays of up to 15 minutes are expected. US 93 runs north and south, not east and west as previously mentioned.
Crews will place temporary concrete barrier, shift the traffic lanes and restripe the roadway so they can continue the widening project. Drivers will be in this temporary configuration for the next three months. An 11-foot width restriction will be in place during that time.
The work zone will be clearly marked by temporary barricades and signage. ADOT advises drivers to allow additional time to reach their destinations and to proceed through the work zone with caution, comply with the reduced speed limit, and be alert for construction equipment and personnel.
CHINO VALLEY — Overnight paving work has been scheduled on State Route 89 between Prescott and Chino Valley this weekend starting Friday night, June 26 through Sunday, June 28, weather permitting. Work will take place on the south end of the project at the new Deep Well Ranch Road roundabout.
Motorists traveling on SR 89 between 4 p.m. and 5 a.m. Saturday, June 27 and Sunday, June 28 (no impacts on Friday night) should allow extra travel time through the work zone. A detour will be in place redirecting traffic in both directions onto the new Deep Well Ranch Road to Ruger Road.
Delays of up to 15 minutes at a time are expected. Flaggers and law enforcement will be present to guide motorists through the detour safely.
Upon completion of the $17 million project, ADOT will expand the two-lane roadway to a four-lane divided highway along a five-mile segment of SR 89 (mileposts 320-325) between Road 4 South in Chino Valley and Deep Well Ranch Road in Prescott, just north of the SR 89/SR 89A junction. The project is scheduled to be complete by August.
PHOENIX — Where will you be when the dust settles?
That’s a question the Arizona Department of Transportation is asking motorists this year as another summer monsoon season begins.
For the fourth consecutive year, ADOT is rolling out its “Pull Aside, Stay Alive” dust storm public awareness campaign in an ongoing effort to educate drivers about the year-round threat of dust storms as monsoon season officially begins in Arizona today. Dust storms pose a serious public safety risk because they can strike out of nowhere. Motorists can protect themselves if they plan ahead and know the safe actions to take when the dust hits.
This year, ADOT – and partners at the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety, the Arizona Department of Public Safety and the National Weather Service – has created new television and radio public-education announcements that ask drivers if they know what to do if they get caught in a sudden dust storm event. The new TV public service announcement depicts a young driver following all the safety recommendations when she sees a dust storm while driving along a highway.
ADOT’s mission is to provide useful and memorable safety information to drivers before they get caught in a low-visibility dust storm. This year, the agency’s top recommendation is to avoid driving into a wall of dust at all costs.
“We hope motorists have heard the message that driving into a dust storm is dangerous and should be avoided,” said ADOT Director John Halikowski. “But every day we have new-to-Arizona drivers, and young drivers, who may not yet know about ‘Pull Aside, Stay Alive.’ If you know a new driver, take a moment to remind them about dust storm safety.”
Halikowski added, “As the monsoon arrives, this year we’re asking drivers to do the smart thing, the safe thing and plan ahead for possible blowing dust and limited visibility along the highway. It’s better to alter travel plans rather than attempting to drive through dust storms. It’s a risk you don’t have to take.”
Dust storms develop quickly and dust-related crashes can occur, particularly along the Interstate 10 corridor between Phoenix and Tucson. To advise drivers of approaching storms, ADOT employs a range of strategies – including electronic highway message boards, social and traditional media, communication with ADOT staff and law enforcement officers in the field, television and radio advertising, and close coordination with partnering agencies – to keep information flowing to motorists.
Please visit PullAsideStayAlive.org for the new public-education video, along with videos from past years. The website also includes a safety tip sheet.
During Arizona Monsoon Awareness Week, ADOT will be using social media to engage Arizonans in spreading the word to “Pull Aside, Stay Alive.” In addition to blog posts (azdot.gov/media/blog) and Facebook posts (Facebook.com/AZDOT), the “Haboob Haiku Challenge” is back for a fourth year at twitter.com/ArizonaDOT: use #HaboobHaiku. Anyone can channel their inner poet, but this year ADOT is asking the public to show off their creativity by providing poems about safe driving tips in dust storms.
Tips for drivers who encounter a dust storm:
Avoid driving into or through a dust storm.
If you encounter a dust storm, check traffic immediately around your vehicle (front, back and to the side) and begin slowing down.
Do not wait until poor visibility makes it difficult to safely pull off the roadway – do it as soon as possible. Completely exit the highway if you can.
Do not stop in a travel lane or in the emergency lane; look for a safe place to pull completely off the paved portion of the roadway.
Stop your vehicle in a position ensuring it is a safe distance from the main roadway and away from where other vehicles may travel.
Turn off all vehicle lights, including your emergency flashers.
Set your emergency brake and take your foot off the brake.
Stay in the vehicle with your seatbelts buckled and wait for the storm to pass.
Drivers of high-profile vehicles should be especially aware of changing weather conditions and travel at reduced speeds in high wind.
A driver’s alertness and safe driving ability are always the top factors in preventing crashes. It is your responsibility to avoid distracted or impaired driving.
