Ruth Ann Border, owner of Visible Difference, thinks of her Flagstaff art supply store as a ship. “I am the captain, the crew, the clean up and I’m fueling the boilers.” She stays busy. Visible Difference opened in the mid-70s. Border bought it in 2005. “I decided to keep the name,” she said. “It has been at this location for 40 years and it is the only art supply store in Northern Arizona, which is a humongous area. We wanted to retain that distinction.” Border obtained ownership … [Read more...] about Ruth Ann Border Making a Visible Difference
Spotlight
Building Teams, Highways, Solutions
Lucinda Andreani is not your typical county public works director. First, she is a woman. Second, she is not an engineer. And third, she brings a more entrepreneurial edge to how she runs things. She does not adhere to the status quo. “I am someone who values diversity and a different perspective.” Her approach to management is transitional, which creates positive change in followers to help them develop into leaders. “I recognize and take the public service mission very seriously,” … [Read more...] about Building Teams, Highways, Solutions
Drone Pilot Capturing Northland Adventures
Chad de Alva’s favorite people are those who are comfortable being uncomfortable – people who are out there in wind, rain, snow and sand – people like himself who are thankful to be out there knowing it is better than being in a cubicle somewhere. The video drone operator and photographer is happiest skirting on the edge of hypothermia or heat exhaustion, flying his drone, taking photos and creating documentaries from his unique perspective. “It started out as a hobby,” he said. “In … [Read more...] about Drone Pilot Capturing Northland Adventures
Lifestyle Change Reflected on the Menu
Late last month, the historic Grand Canyon Café was sold. Paul Moir, one of the buyers, said he hopes to take the restaurant to its 100th year. “I’m 48 now, so I’ll be 75 then. I can see that happening,” said Moir. “I think it will be realistic to take it there. The Grand Canyon Café has been open for more than 70 years. It is a Route 66 landmark. Half of the menu is Chinese food and half is American food. It has been owned for 71 years by the Wong Family. Fred and Tina Wong, who ran it … [Read more...] about Lifestyle Change Reflected on the Menu
Mule Team Boss Enjoying the Journey
In the last century, history has painted illustrious stories about mules and the Grand Canyon, and surprisingly, according to John Berry, livery manager for Xanterra’s South Rim mule operation, not a whole lot has changed. “That’s what I really like about my job,” said Berry. “Living in this high-tech, fast-paced society, I can ride a mule down to Phantom Ranch and feel like I’m stepping back 100 years in time.” His office, which is located inside the Mule Barn on the South Rim of the … [Read more...] about Mule Team Boss Enjoying the Journey
Nurturing Children, Cultivating Skills, Growing a Business
When children get cranky, they might need a nap. When adults get cranky, it could be tax season. Wendy Thompson knows how to handle both. Wendy Thompson watched between 18 and 20 boys who lived in her neighborhood from the time they were seven or so, until they entered junior high school. At the same time, she was cultivating a tax business of her own. Those kids are now in their late 20s and 30s. Some now have children of their own and Thompson has Absolute Tax & Financial Solutions, … [Read more...] about Nurturing Children, Cultivating Skills, Growing a Business
Engineer Impacting Lives Behind the Scenes
With most of the work being done in an office on a computer, the life of a civil engineer is usually uneventful. But there were a few days in July 2010 when six engineering firms, including Turner Engineering, had a very short time to figure out a way to keep expected destructive flood waters away from the Fernwood, Timberline and Hutchinson Acres. The developments were in harm’s way in the aftermath of the huge Schultz fire. Everyone was in an all-hands-on-deck mode and adrenaline was the … [Read more...] about Engineer Impacting Lives Behind the Scenes
Outdoorsman Makes Career of Protecting Forests
Williams resident Arthur Gonzales, head fire official on the Kaibab National Forest, said he was “surprised, proud and very humbled,” to be named Forest Fire Management Officer of the Year. “I don’t do this job for recognition. I do it because I love the work and the benefits I see that are provided not only to me as a forest user, but also to my family and my community,” Gonzales said. He was born and raised in Winslow, attended Winslow High School, and has spent his 22-year career in the … [Read more...] about Outdoorsman Makes Career of Protecting Forests
Attorney Leaves Law for Jiu Jitsu
How many of us have thought about chucking it all and doing what we love instead of what we think we must do? How many of us have actually done it? Meet Max Goldberg. He gave up a successful law career in Florida, moved to Flagstaff and began teaching jiu jitsu. “After practicing [law] for 10 years and working many, many hours, with some great legal accomplishments, many fulfilling and not so fulfilling days, I knew I had a deeper calling in life,” he said. “The more stress I was under, … [Read more...] about Attorney Leaves Law for Jiu Jitsu
Grand Canyon Woman Teaches Backpacking Skills
Denise Traver lives in St. David near Tombstone. Her husband, Brad, is the superintendent of the Petrified Forest National Park. They moved to St. David in 2010 when they felt that the Verde Valley was becoming “too busy.” They enjoy the solitude of the area. She has been an avid backpacker for ages. “I am a desert lover and there is something about looking out over the desert that opens me up,” she said. She has not strayed far from her passion for the past 30-plus years. In fact, she … [Read more...] about Grand Canyon Woman Teaches Backpacking Skills