“It’s historical, emotional, as well as beautiful.” That statement comes from visibly moved hiker Barbara Russell of Albany, New York, following her visit to the Prescott National Forest’s massive alligator juniper tree. Believed to be the largest and oldest of its kind in the world, the juniper has been designated as an Arizona Champion Tree on the American Forests’ National Register of Big Trees. Sometimes called the Grandfather Tree, Forester Ben De Blois says it’s difficult to know … [Read more...] about Prescott’s Champion Juniper Receiving More Attention from Hikers
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Economic Expansion Expected to Continue
Northern Arizona’s economy reflects strengths of the national economy, yet there are also some regional challenges. These issues were highlighted at a recent Northern Arizona Economic Development Roundtable led by the Arizona Association for Economic Development. Before the roundtable discussions began, economist Jim Rounds addressed the group. “There is a lot of consistency in the economic data, which seems to indicate the expansion will last a couple more years,” said Rounds, who … [Read more...] about Economic Expansion Expected to Continue
Flagstaff’s First Indoor Shooting Range Opens Friday
With the Coconino National Forest in fire restrictions that limit activity in the woods, Flagstaff’s first indoor shooting range, Timberline Firearms & Training, is welcoming sport shooting enthusiasts of all abilities. A ribbon cutting ceremony marked the official grand opening of the locally owned range late last month at the corner of Highway 89 and Copeland Lane, six miles north of the Flagstaff Mall. The 11,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art facility is open every day and offers 12 … [Read more...] about Flagstaff’s First Indoor Shooting Range Opens Friday
Drones Earning their Space in the Sky
Chad de Alva of Lightforce Media, LLC has been working with Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS), commonly called drones, for more than seven years. In that time, he has advocated for the industry and educated others, while piloting numerous projects for which drones and their payloads offer new, innovative and cost-saving solutions to a myriad of problems. Besides his company in Flagstaff, de Alva is a partner in Flagstaff-based 4 Corner Film Logistics, LLC, and also flies drones for other firms … [Read more...] about Drones Earning their Space in the Sky
Crumbling Gargoyles, Decomposing Bell Tower, Shifting Stained Glass
Like emergency first responders, community members are answering the call for help and asking for backup as they work to save severely deteriorating features of the historic Nativity of Blessed Virgin Mary Chapel. Unique features, including the bell tower cladding, fierce gargoyles and casings that support hand-crafted stained glass windows, are visibly decaying. After enlisting professional investigative engineers to study the extensive erosion problem in 2016, a group of parishioners … [Read more...] about Crumbling Gargoyles, Decomposing Bell Tower, Shifting Stained Glass
Leading the West in Forest Restoration, Woody Debris Solutions, Job Creation
Wally Covington picks his way through a tightly wooded section of forest in Fort Tuthill south of Flagstaff. At 6 feet 7 inches tall, the forest ecologist ducks and squeezes through thickets of skinny, but not young, ponderosa pine trees. And even though it is a typical sunny Northern Arizona day, the space he is navigating is heavily shadowed – dark even – and chilly. “This little patch has about 350 to 400 trees per acre, which was characteristic of this whole area before we initiated the … [Read more...] about Leading the West in Forest Restoration, Woody Debris Solutions, Job Creation
Army Veteran Sharing His Love of Doughnuts with Flagstaff
Some things in life are irresistible. Take the doughnut, for example. A visit to Fractured Prune Doughnuts on East Piccadilly Road in Flagstaff’s Aspen Place will confirm this friendly addiction. Inside the kitchen area, colorful rows of toppings and glazes are at the ready to adorn hot, fresh cake doughnuts. Tempting and quirky combinations of glazes and toppings have catchy names, such as French Toast (maple glaze plus cinnamon sugar), Margarita (key lime glaze plus sea salt), … [Read more...] about Army Veteran Sharing His Love of Doughnuts with Flagstaff
Social Media Experts Promote Video Marketing
One, one thousand… two, one thousand… three, one thousand: Time’s up. If you have not bonded with your audience in the first three seconds of social media viewing, you regrettably may have surrendered your immediate advantage to sway consumers’ hearts and minds. Local marketing experts recommend integrating video as your best play for attaining optimal impact on Facebook, Twitter, Snapchat, Instagram and other web platforms. “Video is the easiest and most consumable type of content on … [Read more...] about Social Media Experts Promote Video Marketing
Chef Lisa Dahl Expanding Culinary Empire with Two New Restaurants
Sedona Chef Lisa Dahl, owner and executive chef of Dahl Restaurant Group, is expanding her restaurant concepts with the debut of a “couture-burger lounge,” Butterfly Burger, and a second location for her fast-casual, wood-fired pizzeria, Pisa Lisa. Both restaurants will be located in the Village of Oak Creek within Sedona Vista Village, a redevelopment project currently underway by Martin Aronson, who is transforming the former outlet center into a mixed-use destination with restaurants, retail … [Read more...] about Chef Lisa Dahl Expanding Culinary Empire with Two New Restaurants
Bad to the Bone
Bix’s Butcher Shop is not the kind of place a person can walk in and come out with a single T-bone steak. It is the type of place for people who realize that meat does not come from a Styrofoam package at the market, according to butcher Dan Bix. He deals with the whole animal. “We slaughter them. We hang them to dry age them. We process them to [the customer’s] specifications, like how many items per package, what size roast they want, we do everything for them.” He described himself … [Read more...] about Bad to the Bone