When Arizona lawmakers passed SB1070 – legislation designed to give the state tools to reduce illegal immigration – outcry, and threats by several cities to boycott Arizona, followed. SB1070, also known as Support our Law Enforcement and Safe Neighborhoods Act, makes the failure to carry immigration documents a state crime and gives the police broad power to detain anyone suspected of being an illegal immigrant. When police have stopped someone for unlawful activity … [Read more...] about Visitors to Arizona Mixed on Immigration Law
Sedona
Encouraging Feedback on Region’s Tourism
With cooler temperatures on the rise and the departure of the Arizona Cardinals, Flagstaff’s busiest season for tourists may be slowing. However, Flagstaff may have fared better than most cities statewide when it comes to this year’s tourism season. According to Heather Ainardi, director of the Flagstaff Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB), “For the first time since January 2008, Flagstaff is reporting three consecutive months of positive increases in hotel occupancy rates. Amid statewide … [Read more...] about Encouraging Feedback on Region’s Tourism
Job Creation in Northern Arizona Moderate
National Association of Realtors chief economist Lawrence Yun continues to point to jobs as the key to real estate recovery. “Given the rock-bottom mortgage interest rates and historically high housing affordability conditions, the pace of a sales recovery could pick up quickly, provided the economy consistently adds jobs,” he said last month. “What we clearly need is job creation. The job creation is occurring but at a very slow pace.” On the other hand, according to the recent Challenger … [Read more...] about Job Creation in Northern Arizona Moderate
Sedona Business Guiding Women
Most of the clients who attend the self-discovery retreats and workshops at A Woman’s Way in Sedona are women between the ages of 45 and 65. “Something brings them here – an empty nest, divorce, loss of a spouse, a health is- sue,” said founder Karen Ely. “Women ask ‘Who am I now?’ after a lifetime of being everything for everyone else. This is the place for finding their internal navigation and to find their own tools for finding direction in their … [Read more...] about Sedona Business Guiding Women
Multi-Tasking Women Take On Positions of Power
Here's the scenario. Supper’s cooking on the stove while you run a few loads through the washer. The youngest is howling over a scraped knee. The middle one needs help with math and the oldest “just wants to finish this level” on his video game before he takes the dog – who is clawing at the door – outside. Hubby just got home and is looking for the cocktail he hopes you had the foresight to mix. The phone is ringing. Oh, yes...and you still … [Read more...] about Multi-Tasking Women Take On Positions of Power
A Sedona Businessman Shares His Recipe For Success
Picazzo’s Organic Italian Kitchen may be known for many things, but two frequently stand out, and they are both the ideas of restaurateur and owner Rick Freedman. One: In March of this year, all nine of the classic pizzerias – located in Flagstaff, Se- dona, throughout metropolitan Phoenix and now, Tucson – began using organic ingredients in everything. The word “organic” was also added to the restaurant’s name. “The scary part of going organic is the … [Read more...] about A Sedona Businessman Shares His Recipe For Success
Balancing Bank Regulations and Reforms
There are two kinds of banking customers, says Elizabeth Harris, VP branch manager at National Bank of Arizona. “Those who just want to go online and know what their balance is, and those who want a real relationship with their banker.” Harris prefers the latter. From her office on Leroux Street in Flagstaff, she contemplates upcoming legislative bank reforms and new regulations slated to take effect in July and August. “It’s important to me as a banker that customers … [Read more...] about Balancing Bank Regulations and Reforms
Tax Credit Boosting Flagstaff/Sedona Real Estate Sales
Many homebuilders, realtors and lenders expected to see some softening of the housing market following the expiration of the homebuyer tax credit. The homebuyer tax credit created a surge in home sales earlier this year. We asked local experts how they plan to keep the momentum going through the summer. “The biggest push in the momentum from the tax credit was with first-time home buyers,” said Paula Monthofer, president-elect of the Northern Arizona Board of Realtors. Monthofer … [Read more...] about Tax Credit Boosting Flagstaff/Sedona Real Estate Sales
Sedona Energy Labs Creating Low Cost Reliable Solar Options
Sedona Energy Labs wants to go back to the basics: reliable solar technology, the sun, and family. Formed in December 2009 by Mark Scanlon who was later joined by son-in-law Michael Marquess and step-son Scott Moore, the company is now testing two dual-axis solar technology products, the HelioFrame and the HelioPort. “Sedona Energy Labs is looking for practical solutions. We’re taking existing technologies and combining them so we can get the costs down and get it out to the … [Read more...] about Sedona Energy Labs Creating Low Cost Reliable Solar Options
Sedona Foundation Hires New Executive Director
Camp Soaring Eagle Events Planned Sedona-based Camp Soaring Eagle Foundation announced today that Sedona resident Jennifer W. Perry has been promoted to the position of executive director. Past CEO Max James has now shifted his focus to long-term de- velopment for the foundation. James re- mains actively involved as the chairman of the Board of Directors. Jennifer Perry has been the director of public relations and marketing for the past two years and will manage the foundation … [Read more...] about Sedona Foundation Hires New Executive Director