A Northern Arizona University 10-year development plan calls for building three dorms to house 1,200 students, a new campus gateway and other improvements to usher in a “smart campus” of the future. Building all the projects in the master plan would cost more than $2 billion, said NAU spokeswoman Kimberly Ann Ott. “As a result, the specific timing of projects will largely be dependent on opportunities to identify and generate resources,” she said. New on-campus dormitories would address … [Read more...] about Creating a Smart Campus
Tourism
Maui: An Island in Pain
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
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
Needing a Paw Up
Sydney, Jazmin and Cody, three siblings who are cattle dog mixes, were born to their homeless mom under a storage shed near Navajo Mountain. Today, they are fully vaccinated and dewormed, and being adopted by families. “A caring person living in Kayenta retrieved them after they were weaned, but could not catch mom to spay her,” said Toby Frost, a Prescott resident who has been passionate about helping homeless animals for more than 20 years. Frost has been fostering the three puppies. … [Read more...] about Needing a Paw Up
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
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
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
Save the Grapes
The perplexities of managing a Camp Verde vineyard during a heatwave is challenging, and finding friends to help in sweltering record-breaking 116-degree temperatures can be just as difficult. With veraison (the turning of grape berries that signals ripening) setting in, winegrower hobbyist Daniel Tierney covered his vines with nets to protect the grapes from thirsty birds. Flagstaff retired APS lineman Tom McNally and Camp Verde teacher Bob Kuebler came to the vineyard to help. “I was so … [Read more...] about Save the Grapes
Following the Dream of Travel
Lake Lugano, Switzerland, 1977: Two children, Yves, 6, and Monika, 10, are frolicking in the water, swimming and floating on air mattresses. Their families, all Swiss citizens, are vacationing in adjoining homes for the summer. Forty-six years later, Yves and Monika Leuenberger, married since 1997, are still sharing adventures together, and bringing friends and clients along for the ride. The vehicle for all this fun is their Avenues of the World Travel agency on East Cedar Ave. in … [Read more...] about Following the Dream of Travel