The costume is very familiar and was fashioned from $12 worth of golden fabric and fitted with its iconic belt. Meet C-3PO, the life-sized droid hero, noted for his perfect etiquette and protocol, who has been featured in almost every Star Wars film since the franchise first screened in May 1977. It took Geri Hongeva, a Navajo woman from Flagstaff, two days to sew the costume in 2018, with the help of her son, who is more experienced in cosplay, the practice of dressing up as a character … [Read more...] about Channeling the Force
Over the Moon with Soft Skills
Jessica Watkins is a 31-year-old, unassuming, small-framed geologist with an easy smile and former member of a Division I national champion rugby team. She is many things, including an astronaut-in-training, but she’s not a pilot…yet. When NASA selected her from a field of 1,800 applicants to be one of 13 individuals being trained for possible space travel to destinations like the Moon and Mars, how well she could handle a jet did not top the list of preferred competencies. She was chosen for … [Read more...] about Over the Moon with Soft Skills
Restaurateur in the Making
Nelda Achee served for 21 years in the U.S. Coast Guard, retiring as a Chief Petty Officer. She was in charge of overhauling ship diesel engines worth millions of dollars to make sure they could do 26 knots (about 30 miles per hour). She would oversee dry-docking of ships in order to make them seaworthy again. She would manage projects where crews had to cut holes in ships to replace turbines. But when Nelda Achee, mother of three children, grandmother of seven, returned home to the Navajo … [Read more...] about Restaurateur in the Making
New Year, New Knees
After 400 backcountry hikes into the Grand Canyon, 100 trips down the Colorado River and scores of worldwide excursions spanning a 44-year career, it was no surprise to 65-year-old geologist Wayne Ranney when his knees began to bother him. “I went to the doctor, tried a couple treatments and when they didn’t work, the doctors said I would be a good candidate for bilateral replacement – that is double knee surgery – so I agreed,” said Ranney. “The surgery went well and surprisingly only took … [Read more...] about New Year, New Knees
Tip of the ICEBERG: NAU Planetary Scientists Developing Large-Scale ‘Imagery-Computing Superhighway’
Scientists are creating ways to compile and interpret an abundance of high-resolution satellite images on a continental scale to better understand Antarctica, Arizona and the world. The same sophisticated satellite imaging techniques being developed to map and identify the size and composition of uncharted land in Antarctica soon may help scientists produce finely detailed geologic maps of the Lower Colorado River Corridor and better understand its geologic history. Mark Salvatore, an … [Read more...] about Tip of the ICEBERG: NAU Planetary Scientists Developing Large-Scale ‘Imagery-Computing Superhighway’
Sending Love to Pluto
February marks the 90th anniversary of Pluto’s discovery right here in Northern Arizona. To celebrate, Lowell Observatory is partnering with other local organizations in hosting a two-day “I Heart Pluto Festival,” set for Feb. 15 and 18. Highlights of the event include a presentation by Alan Stern, principal investigator of the New Horizons mission that explored Pluto in 2015, a space-themed art exhibit at Lowell Observatory and Mother Road Brewery’s limited release of Pluto Prohibition … [Read more...] about Sending Love to Pluto
Navajo Gaming Considering Options Near Flagstaff
For the Navajo Gaming Enterprise, one of numerous Navajo Nation-owned businesses, 2020 begins with potential. After closing escrow on a 14.1-acre parcel north of Flagstaff, Navajo Gaming is conducting market research to determine best uses for the property, which includes Horsemen Lodge, an iconic steakhouse. Navajo Gaming is just one of 22 different enterprises owned and operated by the Navajo Nation, each with the goal of creating jobs and stimulating economic development for the tribe, … [Read more...] about Navajo Gaming Considering Options Near Flagstaff
Game On: ‘Flagstaff Local’ Rewards Shopping, Helping, Giving
It is like Jumanji without the killer ostriches. Flagstaff Local is a community-wide game thought up by the Economic Vitality Division and Discover Flagstaff tourism folks at the City of Flagstaff, and everybody wins. It involves deeds that benefit the greater good and earn players points. Flagstaff Local is similar to some video games in which the better you do, the better your health, except in this case, the better the health of the community. Mountain Sports Flagstaff Owner Lisa Lamberson … [Read more...] about Game On: ‘Flagstaff Local’ Rewards Shopping, Helping, Giving
How to Choose a Pre-Owned Car
A late-model pre-owned car is the perfect way to marry your car wish list with your budget. Get all the features of a new car, but without the sticker shock! When it comes to buying a used car, it’s all about knowing what to look for so your used car lasts for years to come. Follow these tips to make sure your pre-owned car doesn’t come with surprise issues: Know the market value. You most likely have a make, model and year in mind, but be sure to do your research and know the going … [Read more...] about How to Choose a Pre-Owned Car
Creating the World We Want
Hello, Northern Arizona! Welcome to the new year and the new decade! As everyone heads back to school and work, I want to take a minute to talk about our goals. I like to think we mostly agree on what we want our communities to look like. We want kids to have happy and healthy childhoods, we want clean air to breathe and clean water to drink. We want families to have shelter and food on the table. We want good schools and parks to play in, forests to explore and festivals to attend. The big … [Read more...] about Creating the World We Want