The recently formed Wild West Performing Arts Society (WWPAS) will have its first convention Dec. 3-6 as part of the larger annual convention of the Single Action Shooting Society (SASS).

Dr. Buck Montgomery, Trail Boss and long-time member of the 85,000-member strong SASS, announced a lineup of experts and performers like Jack Dagger, Dan Mink, Mark Allen, and Paul Nolan. The gathering includes workshops and seminars, contests and competitions on Dec. 4-5, with prizes such as engraved belt buckles and huge bragging rights (at least until next year's convention).

This year's event honors the late Joe Bowman, an iconic figure for many years in Wild West performing circles. In his memory, the new Straight Shooter Award will be given annually to "an individual that has shown continued support and preservation of the Wild West Arts."

In an open letter, Montgomery said, "The response we are getting from Wild West performers, former Wild West Arts Club (WWAC) members and SASS members has been and continues to be incredible. My phone has to be charged twice a day and I think my computer is overheating."

The WWPAS' new monthly newsletter will include a regular column about bullwhips (and everything that pertains to them) written by whip pro Robert Dante, a former professional journalist and author of "Let's Get Cracking! The How-To Book of Bullwhip Skills," available on Amazon.com.

For more information on the WWPAS and the SASS/WWPAS convention in Las Vegas, write to Dr. Buck Montgomery at P.O. Box 7123, Goodyear, AZ 85338, or call 623-521-3856, or send an email to DRBuc@cox.net .