A Movie That Needs to be Made
Figure of Eight - The Ride of a Lifetime

The powerful relationship between man and his horse is at the very core of our Western American heritage. It's this relationship that built the West and continues to be at the root of sustaining this heritage today.

Currently in the development is a movie that illuminates the ongoing role horses still play in the Western Lifestyle and the preservation of the land and its resources within which we co-exist with these magnificent animals.

Figure of Eight - The Ride of a Lifetime is a race to save one family's land from a logging baron determined to clear-cut. It's this 200 mile horse endurance race that will be the deciding factor in whether the family can save it's ranch, timber and honor or whether the government and big business prevail.

This is an important issue today as ranchers and farmers fight to save their land from development. It's an important story about how, even today, people and horses work together to fight to save their environment and their dreams.

For more information about this project visit www.figureofeight.com

Ron Smith

Just over a week ago, our beloved High Noon family member, Ron Smith, was tragically struck and killed in a car accident in Maricopa County. Ron was just 62 years old. A tire on his camper had blown and he was out on the highway clearing the debris from the road. At his side, in the cab, waiting for his return, was his favorite pal, dog Sheila. It was dark and an oncoming vehicle did not see him in the road and he was struck and killed instantly. Even more tragic, the driver of the vehicle was a retired firefighter. He immediately attempted to save Ron but to no avail. Upon hearing the news, long time friend Bud Callahan went to the scene where Sheila was found sad, but safe.

Ron's life was a reflection of the man whose integrity and tenacity will be remembered by all who knew him. A Vietnam veteran, he went on to befriend many including Indians from various Trading Posts in New Mexico. In the 1970s, Ron and his dad capitalized on the Squash Blossom craze. They saw an opportunity and struck a deal with May Department Stores to be their primary supplier to stores across the county. At one point, they had over 250 Indian jewelers making Squash Blossoms to fill their orders. They bought a private plane and would fly from city to city delivering and showing the jewelry at May Stores from Denver to Washington D C.

Following this adventure, Ron opened Adobe Walls in Colorado Springs. What started as a tiny shop grew to an over 10,000 square foot mall and social center for Indian and Western Collectors. In 2007, he opened Adobe Walls Trading Company in Florence, CO.

Ron was going to celebrate his 20th anniversary with High Noon in 2010, and he was really excited about it. He was going to have his first booth...a big 8x20 filled with showcases. It was such a big deal for him, that he wouldn't make any decisions, even about the paper color, without input from his friend, Bud. Mike Graham described Ron as the Guru or Hub of the Cowboy and Indian trading community here. His good humor and kindness will be missed by us all.

Ron leaves a daughter Trisha Smith and son Kerry Smith along with three grandchildren Tanner, Weston and Oakley. Our hearts ache with the family and all his friends.

We all know there is one scam after another targeted to those of us who sell merchandise via the web. Here is one I hadn’t heard of before and thought it was important to share. The more savvy we are to the methods being used to defraud merchants, the safer everyone will be.

This just happened to our October Inner Cowgirl, Denice Langley, Denice Langley Designs. A few weeks ago, she received an inbound email inquiry regarding pricing on several of her purses and belts from a buyer in Dubai. Several emails back and forth later, the number of purses and belts was finalized as well as pricing. The total for the merchandise was agreed upon and the buyer was going to arrange a wire transfer directly into her account. Once the wire transfer was received, the products would be shipped.

Denice went to her bank and opened a new account specifically for the purpose of accepting the transfer. The buyer said the transfer had been done. After a few days, the money still had not shown up but her bank said this was not unusual do to time/date differences and international banking.

Then, instead of a wire transfer appearing, the bank received, via FedEx, a cashier’s check from the buyer. The check was made payable for the wrong amount — almost twice the amount that was requested. Again, the bank said this was not that unusual with money crossing into US dollars. What was unusual, that the bank officer immediately noticed, was that the check, which required two signatures, only had one.

Denice contacted the buyer in Dubai via email saying that she had received the check but that it was for in excess of almost $15,000. The buyer greatly apologized for the error and said to just deposit the check and wire the overpayment back to them.

Thanks to the bank’s diligence and role to protect their customers, in this case Denice Langley, they said they would refuse to deposit the check as they new it was fake or bad. Had the bank not worked so closely with Denice on this, she may have deposited the check and, trustingly, returned the overpayment only to find out there was never any funds behind the fake check. The decision was made to send the check back to Dubai (or wherever it really came from).

Small independent business merchants are particular targets for this kind of criminal activity. None of us want to live always looking over our shoulders or suspecting the worst instead of the best. The reality is, these scams come in from everywhere. Always keep your eyes open!

See You On Facebook!
The New High Noon
Social Networking Site

First it was worldwide air travel that seemed to make the world smaller and allow us to connect in our business and our personal lives with people across the country and around the globe. This paled in comparison to how the Internet then took us by storm and allowed us to expand our businesses and personal relationships via e-mail and websites. And now, the definitive next phase in marketing and networking has taken the world by storm - social networking, the phrase we all hear over and over again.

In the beginning, these social networking sites such as Facebook seemed to be just fun sites to re-connect with long lost friends and keep in touch with new ones. Well, that's not the case anymore. Social networks sites have become a driving force in commerce. From the mega-corps like IBM to the small, locally owned neighborhood restaurant, the social networking sites have become the new and powerful window to the world. They have created virtual communities and connected people worldwide with like interests and goals. It was stunning to us how, shortly after our Smoke Signal's June article on "Antiques Are Green" a flood of requests to join the "Antiques are Green" movement on the social networking site Linked-In came in. Since then, we've connected with antiquers around the world who are part of this on-line organization. This is just a small sample of how powerful these sites can be in maintaining and growing your businesses.

Social networking sites are collections or communities of people sharing information and communicating online. Members of these networks actively support each other, share questions and concern and ultimately, create a wonderful synergy for the world we live in.

Those of us interested in Western Americana need to stick together. We come together each year at the annual High Noon Show & Auction and the Denver Show & Auction, but are left on our own the rest of the year. Wouldn't it be great to have someone to go to when you have a question? To have other people to talk with about your interests? To have the opportunity to share your expertise with others in a forum discussion? To connect with collectors or customers through social networks? Maybe even make a deal?

It is the goal of High Noon to create a support community for collectors, buyers and sellers of Western Americana. We offer a variety of resources including our website, the Show & Auction, Smoke Signals, and now, Social Networking.

High Noon has created a Facebook page and we strongly encourage you to join (it's free) and become part of this burgeoning group of collectors and fans of Western Americana. In addition, you will find updates about the show and auction and links to pertinent articles and videos. Send in and share your own photos of artifacts, activities and friends!

Become our Facebook friend today by visiting our page at:
www.facebook.com/highnoonwesternamericana
See you on Facebook!

Your Window to the Western World • Lovely to Look At • Easy To Use

Our goal is to be your window to everything that encompasses the world of Western Lifestyle. We hope that you will take advantage of all the new features, links and information that is now at your fingertips. We also hope some of the kitschy little nuances we’ve added will make you smile! On each page, take a minute to enjoy the ever changing photos of our High Noon family and events – you might even see yourself!

New Features and Updated Existing resources:

• Smoke Signals Archives – The response to our new monthly e-magazine is getting national attention. Missed an issue? Want to refer to a previous story? Have a story you want to submit or a recipe you are dying to share? The new Smoke Signals section is your one-stop resource for that.
• The High Noon Team – Want to know Who We Are or Who to Contact? This is the place to look.
• Biographies of Artists and Artisans – your High Noon “Wikipedia” of information
• A comprehensive Travel Page for Mesa
• Show Dealer Forms, Maps and Info in downloadable PDFs
• A new Media/Press Section which keeps you up to date on all advertising and press information about our January event
• Updated information and bidder registration for our new Online Auction Partner iCollector

HAVE A WEBSITE? JOIN THE HIGH NOON WEB DIRECTORY! For those of you who have a website, we invite you to submit your web address for our ever growing Directory of Western Lifestyle. Let High Noon help you reach people you may not have reached before. With so much daily traffic to our site, your exposure will greatly increase. In return, we ask that you put www.highnoon.com on your website. To submit your web address for the directory, email: info@highnoon.com. Subject line: submission for Web Directory.

COMING SOON! – THE WORLD OF SOCIAL NETWORKING! Every day, the social networking sites such as Facebook, LinkedIn and YouTube become more critical in our marketing and outreach to the world. With links to all of these sites right on our website, you can expand your outreach by networking with us reaching a world previously impossible to reach.

We have had fun creating our new website and we hope you enjoy it! Check back frequently as more and more changes are yet to come.

The fight to be "seen as green" continues

By Jayne Skeff

In this week's issue of the UK's Antiques Trade Gazette (www.antiquestradegazette.com) there was a wonderful story about how the whole field of antique restoration is joining the fight and specifically focused on how restorers will begin to play a more important role than ever in antiques being seen as green.

The opening paragraph read: "Antiques Are Green is the message being shouted from the rooftops by the industry in the UK this year. And as the public becomes increasingly aware of the quality bargains to be had at auction as a result, restorers will play a more important role than ever before." (Antiques Trade Gazette, July 25, 2009).

To that end, restorers in the UK have formed an organization whose acronyms R.A.R.E. (Recycle, Auction, Re-finish, End product) advocate for the benefits of buying at auction and then using restorers to bring out the best of their antiques purchases.

Sustainability and style go hand in hand as restorers work to be integrally involved in not just purchases at auction but tired pieces in your own homes, mirrors that need re-silvering... the list goes on and the cycle of recycle continues. And antiques just get greener and greener.

News on this side of the pond for the fight to be seen as green? The first show of its kind, the Revolutionary Green Meets Green Expo will debut in San Diego in January 2010. To be held at the San Diego County Fairgrounds, one exhibition hall will feature a large general line antiques show and the adjacent exhibition hall will feature the 21st century versions of green from autos to bamboo baby blankets. Old meets new in a cooperative effort to save our planet.

As antiquers, we are doing our part and have been for years. Just another reason to be very proud of what we do.

For those of you who are "LinkedIn" there is an international group of antiques dealers networked in this movement. The club on "LinkedIn" is called "Antiques Are Green". For information about becoming part of this "LinkedIn" organization, please email me at jayne@highnoon.com

If you are not a member of LinkedIn, getting networked is free at www.linkedin.com

Get ready Denver 'cause here comes the Cody Old West Show & Auction!

When Brian Lebel, Director of the Cody Old West Show and Auction, made the decision to celebrate the 20th anniversary of this exciting event by moving it to Denver, he not only changed locations, he took the challenge and recreated this event making it bigger and better then ever. Watch out Denver - here comes the most amazing Western Show and Auction(s) (yup, there are two auctions) to ever grace the Rocky Mountains!

And how do you come into town with a new event and make sure it's a smashing success? You do what Brian has done, come in with both barrels loaded, tumbleweed flying - advertising from billboards to print - allying yourself with the city movers and shakers - and making yourself indispensable to the Denver Art Museum, home to the Petrie Institute of Western American Art. Well done, Brian!

The weekend event kicks-off on Thursday evening, June 25th, with a dealer and guest reception hosted by the galleries in the trendy "LoDo" district of Denver.

The show, which opens on Friday, June 26th and runs through Sunday, June 28th, has had a waiting list of dealers for months. This year, the attendees will see many new faces including a whole new group of artisans from across the country specializing in exquisite furnishings for home and lodge. Over 200 dealers in all will fill the Denver Merchandise Mart with everything from the finest Western Americana antiques, art, Cowboy and Native American trappings.

A very special guest at the show will be premier Navajo weaver Mary H. Yazzie. On Saturday and Sunday, she will be demonstrating her hand carding and spinning techniques which she uses to create her works of art - her rugs.

The first of the auctions to take place will be a Western American Art Auction on Friday, June 26th, (6:30 pm) to benefit the Denver Art Museum Acquisition Fund. Over 150 works will be offered. A separate catalog is available for this sale for $12.

The "big daddy" auction will go off on Saturday evening, June 27th at 5pm and wow, what a sale this will be. Bigger and more important than ever, over 500 lots will come to the block including two of the most important Main & Winchester saddles to ever be offered and historic items from the personal estate of Annie Oakley. Art from Will James to Remington, rare Colt firearms, the finest Native American offerings...the list goes on. The catalog itself is a walk through American Western history. (Catalog is available for $30)

From all of us at High Noon, "CONGRATULATIONS BRIAN!" We can't wait for it all to start and we will be there with boots on!

For all the info on the Cody Old West Show and Auction(s), visit www.codyoldwest.com

Auction Buyers: If you want to purchase for resale, be sure to remember to bring your resale license. The State of Colorado requires it.

Some People Will Do Anything For Cards, Flowers and Phone Calls...

Danny Verrier - On the road back with a vengeance!


There likely wasn't anyone in our High Noon family who didn't stop in their tracks when they received the news that our Danny had had a stroke. No, not Danny! He's magnanimous, larger than life - he's invincible. Well, as we all learn at some point, much as we may think we're invincible - oops, we're not, and that's okay too. But, what's even more okay than our non-invincibility is that Danny is on the road to a stunningly quick recovery (no, surprise there - he's not known for his patience). And speaking of patients, one can only imagine that the RN's who cared for him during his hospital stay will never forget him...

Prognosis? 100% recovery. He's already spending time each day in the office (can't keep a wild and crazy man down). The remainder of his day is spent with his fabulous wife Theresa who, shortly after his return home, had him practicing casting that fishing reel. They take walks, they go to the park, they play catch ...things we should all do with those we love for absolutely no reason at all other than to just enjoy it. A good reminder about what's really important in life.

We love you Danny and we promise we'll pay more attention to you so you don't have to go acting out like this☺

Taking The World By Storm With "Cowgirl Serenade"

The Buckarettes release their third and most powerful CD yet!
www.buckarettes.com

Soulful, rich harmonies, romantic ballads, and kick-up-your-heels Western swing, the amazing Buckarettes are music to High Noon’s ears… It’s the collaboration of Katie Gill, Debra Jean Parker, Susan Clark, Amy Blackburn and Gary Roller that bring people to their feet in applause, captivated by their music and vocals. These fabulous gals and token guy Gary who tolerates these kick-a… women rock the High Noon Show and Auction each year and we couldn’t imagine an event without them.

We are so proud to announce that they have just released their third and most powerful CD to date. Cowgirl Serenade is filled with reminiscent and “lust in the dust” songs which so strongly illuminates their depth and passion for Western ballads. If you liked them before you’re going to love them now! In just a few short weeks following the release of Cowgirl Serenade they hit the #2 spot in popularity in the Album Category of Western Music & Swing Magazine and the song Slowpoke hit #2 as well in the Top 10 Song Category – you gals rock – or shall we should say swing!

It began eleven years ago when Katie Gill and Debra Jean (DJ) Parker got together to play some cowgirl music at DJ’s son’s elementary school. They had so much fun they decided to take the idea a bit further — and a bit further they did. They first wrangled in Susan Clark and Amy Blackburn, then added rich vocals, fiddles, keyboard and the big sound of string bass of Gary Roller, creating their award winning sound which today is in demand across the West as well as on radio stations in Germany, France, England, Australia and Japan. They regularly perform in concert and dance venues in New Mexico, Arizona and Colorado, receiving rave reviews wherever they go.

Each of these amazing women is an artist, musician and songwriter committed to creating the best and most infectious music, which has you tapping your toes, smiling from ear to ear and up dancing even if you don’t dance.

For more information on the Buckarettes, their upcoming performance schedule and to buy their new CD Cowgirl Serenade, visit their website at www.buckarettes.com

We at High Noon can’t wait until next January when the Buckarettes will rock Mesa and the High Noon weekend again!

A Look to the Future: We All Will Say "We Knew Him When..."

Tyler Crow - Cowboy Artist

While the saying goes “there are only two things certain in life —death and taxes,” we at High Noon would like to add a third — that Tyler Crow will be one of the preeminent Cowboy artists of America.

Tyler was dearly missed by so many of us this year in Phoenix. Over the past few years, his young infectious charm and enthusiasm lit up the show as he spent his time working with Jacquie Smiley and Justin Walker, talking to people, learning the business and sketching amazing drawings of life as a cowboy.

Tyler couldn’t fit the Phoenix show into his schedule this year but with good reason — one that we just have to share. Tyler, now 19, was busy studying art under the direction of Bruce Greene and Martin Grelle. Tyler’s talent came to the attention of these two masters after winning Frank Lucas’ Congressional Art Contest which placed his drawing on exhibit at the US Capitol and a subsequent award that had his work displayed at the National Cowboy Museum.

In speaking with Tyler, he admits to having been quite intimidated at the thought of being mentored by Grelle and Greene. His dedication and determination to learn and become the best artist he could holds strong. After a very short time on sabbatical training under Bruce Greene at his home in Norse, Texas, he transformed from sketch artist to painter. In an interview with Western Horseman Magazine in January, Green is quoted as saying “I’ve never seen anyone progress so quickly.” “He made huge strides in just weeks.”

Now, Tyler paints everyday, always working on a piece that reflects his true passion, the real life of today’s American cowboy. Tyler’s work has already earned exciting results at a local Oklahoma auction. While his next goal is set on exhibiting at the prestigious Pris de West Invitational Art Exhibition, we at High Noon await the day when perhaps his work will grace the front of our auction catalog, a substantial hammer will drop on his entry, and yes, he will be smiling.  All the while we will feel honored to have “known him when…”

Bob Coronato Exhibits at "Masters of the American West" at The Autry Museum, Los Angeles

Bob Coronato missed our Phoenix show and auction this year but he had the most honorable of excuses. Bob was invited to participate in the Autry National Center’s renowned annual “Masters of the American West” Fine Art Exhibition and Sale, which opened on Saturday, February 7th in Los Angeles, CA.

This was the first time Bob was invited and he was completely “humbled by the experience,” as only 75 artists are invited to participate each year. “I received this wonderful invitation a year ago and spent the better part of the last 12 months working on the three paintings I created specifically for this sale.”

The three works Bob created are entitled: Crow Family Reunion, Where Does A Cowboy Go When There’s No More Range To Ride, and Riding Blood Brother – I Thought I Got On Backwards Because I Never Saw His Head.  All three of these paintings reflect Bob’s passion for keeping the lifestyle of the remote and free West alive.

It is with great pride that we are able to report that Crow Family Reunion sold for $35,000 at the opening evening reception. His other two works will remain on exhibit through the duration of the “Masters of the American West” which runs through March 8, 2009. We encourage everyone to go to the Autry Museum to see this magnificent display of fine Western art, which is so important to all of us.

From all of us at High Noon, we wish Bob the warmest congratulations!
For information on Masters of the American West visit the Autry Museum’s website at www.autrynationalcenter.org

For more information about Bob Coronato with samples of his works please visit: www.greenwichworkshop.com (he has his own website but isn’t very fond of it).