Reeling from what have been called the deadliest fires in the last century of U.S. history, residents across Maui are hurting. More than 100 people are dead. Hundreds are said to be missing. Survivors say they are in shock. Some weep for a loss that has left many homeless, traumatized and desperately sad. For small businesses that have created the Aloha Spirit for visitors from around the world, the future is uncertain. Summer Teixeira, who owns and operates Surf Yoga Maui, has struggled for … [Read more...] about Maui: An Island in Pain
Sedona
OneAZ Awards Thousands to Flagstaff-Area Non-Profits
OneAZ Credit Union is excited to award $40,000 in grants to eight Flagstaff and Sedona-area non-profit organizations as part of its Community Impact Grant program. Each organization will receive $5,000 toward a program or initiative that supports one of OneAZ’s Five Pillars – Children’s Health, Food Banks, Financial Education, Veterans’ Interests and Local Youth Programs. “Our Community Impact Grant program is one of the most powerful ways we can change lives in Northern Arizona,” said … [Read more...] about OneAZ Awards Thousands to Flagstaff-Area Non-Profits
Cycling in the Bear Jaw Groove
Once again, Flagstaff’s longest-running Mountain Bike Race, Bear Jaw Groove, got rolling at Arizona Nordic Village with excited faces, colorful jerseys and zippy bikes. “We had our largest attendance ever,” said Bear Jaw Events Coordinator Stevie Sanchez, who, for the first time, rode in the race since its inception in 2012. “I competed in the 44-miler and got a flat tire the first and second lap. So, I ate a fish taco and got back on the trail.” “We had a total of 272 riders,” said Bear … [Read more...] about Cycling in the Bear Jaw Groove
Canyon River Outfitters Impacting Local Economy
It’s a niche Flagstaff industry that does much of its work navigating the Colorado River rapids of Grand Canyon. The outdoor-adventure outfitters who guide 20,000 passengers annually through the canyon’s whitewater turbulence also generate hundreds of jobs and tens of millions of dollars for Flagstaff’s economy. Discover Flagstaff Director Trace Ward says Grand Canyon is the number one driver of visitors to Northern Arizona. “With this comes a tapestry of services and activities … [Read more...] about Canyon River Outfitters Impacting Local Economy
Babbitt Ranch Energy Center Praised as National Model in Collaboration
Calling the Babbitt Ranch Energy Center a national model for how successful collaboration can lead to results on the ground, Coconino County officials hosted Congressional staff members, White House representatives and National Association of Counties (NACo) members on a field trip to the site where NextEra Energy Resources is preparing to install wind turbines on Babbitt Ranches north of Flagstaff. “Babbitt Ranches is one of the most innovative land companies in the United States. It is what … [Read more...] about Babbitt Ranch Energy Center Praised as National Model in Collaboration
E-Bikes Gaining Traction
Flagstaff has an average of 1.9 bicycles per household and now, e-bikes are becoming an increasing part of the cycling scene. When the State of Arizona passed a law in early 2019 to define classifications of e-bikes, municipalities were allowed to adjust their codes. “After a public process and conversations with City of Flagstaff’s Bike and Pedestrian Committee, city codes were amended to allow Class 1 and 2 e-bikes on all bike paths,” explained City of Flagstaff Senior Transportation … [Read more...] about E-Bikes Gaining Traction
Jeenah Park Gets College-Bound Students Noticed
This fall, Elizabeth Cervantes Roman will be studying political science on a full-ride scholarship to Dartmouth College. It’s an achievement she claims would not have been possible without the services of Jeenah Park of Evergreen Educational Consulting. “I was so nervous about the college application process, as it’s really stressful, but having someone who is by your side and supporting you is extremely helpful. I know it’s a dramatic thing to say, but Jeenah changed my life,” said Roman, a … [Read more...] about Jeenah Park Gets College-Bound Students Noticed
Williams Judge Takes a Break from Courtroom on Honey Creek Farm
Feeling as comfortable on the bench as he does officiating a wedding at the edge of the Grand Canyon, Williams Justice Court Judge Rob Krombeen says he is living the sweet life, literally, tending to Honey Creek Farm. “I feel we are living the sweet life because of the fruitful contributions we make toward sustainable farming on our property and the relationships we build with our customers as we improve their quality of life through the products we provide,” he said. Judge Krombeen and … [Read more...] about Williams Judge Takes a Break from Courtroom on Honey Creek Farm
Teen Equestrians See Their Future Riding on Hashknife Horses
At 16 years old, Grace Copeland of Flagstaff knows what she wants. A year ago, she started to ride horses and fell in love with everything equestrian, from running barrels to cleaning stalls. Her goal is to have the whole experience of raising and training a horse. So, with $5,000 she earned from jobs like babysitting and dog walking, she arrived at the Babbitt Ranches Annual Hashknife Colt Sale with focused intention. On that warm second Saturday morning in July at Spider Web Camp north of … [Read more...] about Teen Equestrians See Their Future Riding on Hashknife Horses
Ex-Cop Urges All to Act Now on the Life They Want
After years of serving as a sheriff’s deputy, police patrol officer and SWAT team member, Julie Jones has given a lot of thought to lives that ended early, dreams that never got started and destinies left unfulfilled. “It was really heartbreaking to deliver death notifications to the loved ones of the deceased,” she told a packed conference room of businesspeople in Phoenix last April. “There are no guarantees in life. There is no promise of tomorrow.” Despite witnessing life’s tragedies, … [Read more...] about Ex-Cop Urges All to Act Now on the Life They Want