Best of Flagstaff Winners Edition 2019

Advertising Supplement

T hree generations of the G arcia family are proud to serve you!

Voted Best Mexican Restaurant st 1 Place 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2015, 2016, Best Mexican Restaurant Best taco 2017, 2018, 2019!

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Best of Flag

Kingsmark Kennels

Northern Arizona’s only All Inclusive Pet Resort!

U O Y K N THA R U O Y R FO VOTE!

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Publisher/ Advertising Director Colleen Brady

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Editor MacKenzie Chase

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CONTENTS

Sales Manager Zachary Meier Sales Contributors Lydia Smith Clare Nixon

9 DINING & DRINKS 10 12 14

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16 18 20 22 24

Sushi, Japanese Food: Karma Sushi Bar Grill completes a decade on top Indian Food, Lunch Food, Family Dining: Himalayan Grill a home away from home for ethnic food Restaurant Wine Selection: FLG Terroir: Wine Bar & Bistro Flagstaff’s ‘third space’ Bakery: Mozelle’s Downtown Bakery offers fresh-baked creations every day Sports Bar: Sportsman’s Bar & Grill continues 10-year winning streak Deli Sandwich: Crystal Creek Sandwich Co. offers classic sandwiches along the main drag Food Truck: 3’s in the Trees: A food truck for all weather Dining & Drinks winners list

25 SERVICES 26 30

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33 34 38 40

41 SHOPPING 42 43 46 50 52

56 4

Best of Flag 2019

Pet Adoption: High Country Humane helps animals find their forever home Apartment Community: Highland Village Apartments one of three Bella Investment Group properties on top Mortgage Company: PrimeLending proud to solve puzzles for Flagstaff Roofing: Behmer Roofing Co. thrives as family business Painting: Major League Painting takes on projects big and small Services winners list Shoe Store: Run Flagstaff serves vibrant running community Window Treatments: Flagstaff Custom Window Coverings takes fourth win in a row Jewelry Store: Frederick Fisher Jewelers still shining after nearly 40 years Florist: Sutcliffe Floral provides fresh flowers for any occasion Shopping winners list

53 FAVORITES 54 56 59

Local Band or Musician: Black Lemon celebrates hometown with folk music Local Artist (Fine Art or Performance Art): Duane Koyawena finds discipline, confidence and support in art and life Favorites winners list

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EDITOR’S NOTE

Welcome to the 2019 Best of Flag Indeed, although several chain restaurants and businesses appear in these rankings, they’re often relegated to third place. And while there are some constant winners year after year, there are establishments, businesses and happenings that took first, second or third place for the first time in 2019. That name recognition may take a while for new businesses to establish within the community at large, but it’s a goal worth striving for.

Celebrate Flagstaff this holiday season and beyond by supporting the local businesses that appear in these pages. You may just discover your new favorite thing.

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fter weeks of voting, the community has spoken and named this year’s Best of Flag in almost 200 categories. Congratulations to all our winners! And a big thanks to all Flagstaff businesses and residents that participated in this annual Arizona Daily Sun competition.

The results reflect Flagstaff’s community-oriented focus. It’s something that makes life at 7,000 feet special. As Ryan Terhaar of Frederick Fisher Jewelers noted, “I think Flagstaff really supports Flagstaff. For me, when I vote, I vote for my friends and local businesses.”

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MacKenzie Chase

Flagstaff, Thank you for this year’s wins!

18 S. Beaver St. 7:00am - 2pm brandyscafe.com

Best New Restaurant

Breakfast served all day!

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®

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Best Brunch

1500 E. Cedar Ave. 6:30am - 3pm brandysrestaurant.com

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hand airbrushing • California sunless spray Tan sTand up bed • lay down beds wide seleCTion of loTions • bouTique iTems

Thank You Flagstaff for your continued support and for selecting us as BEST MASSAGE for 2019!

Thank you for voting us

besT Tanning salon!

Voted BEST 2006-2019!

1800 S. Milton Rd, Suite 17 • tanningtimeboutique.com

FLAGSTAFF 1235 South Plaza Way Off Milton next to Ross and Safeway (928) 526-3689

(928) 774-0772

Mon – Thurs 9am - 8pm, Friday 9am - 6pm, Sat and Sun 10am - 4pm

M-S 8a-10p | Su 9a-9p

T H A N K Y O U F L A G S TA F F

VOTED BEST HOTEL SERVICES FOR 11 CONSECUTIVE YEARS 9 2 8 . 7 7 9 . 7 9 0 0 | 2 5 1 5 E A S T B U T L E R AV E

V I S I T F L A G S T A F F. L I T T L E A M E R I C A . C O M

winter19 namlm.com

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Northern Arizona’s Mountain Living Magazine

DINING & DRINKS Dec. 8, 2019

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Sushi winner completes a decade on top Karma Sushi Bar Grill | 6 E. Route 66 | By Cody Bashore

‌W

ith its place atop the voting for 2019, Karma Sushi Bar Grill finished off the decade with a sweep of Best of Flag’s sushi category.

Also voted Best Japanese Food for 2019 and each year since 2012, Karma has been a mainstay in Flagstaff’s culinary scene through the years at its location along Historic Route 66. For Karma’s general manager Ed Grant, Flagstaff’s continued support comes down to a simple answer.

“It’s got to be just community connection, community involvement,” Grant said. “I think all I can say is we are super humbled and grateful. I think we try to be consistent with our product and consistently good to our customers. It’s just awesome that they pay it back to us.”

Along with providing a wide-ranging menu built upon its variety of sushi roll options, Karma focuses on giving back to the community. During Good Karma Tuesdays, the second Tuesday of each month, Karma donates 10% of it pre-tax sales to a selected local organization, with the restaurant’s focus being on groups helping address women’s issues, animal rescue and welfare or promoting physical fitness.

Among a long list of groups, over the years Karma has donated to Coconino Humane Association, Flagstaff Family 10 Best of Flag

JAKE BACON PHOTOS, ARIZONA DAILY SUN‌

Karma general manager Ed Grant stands inside the restaurant located at 6 E. Route 66 in downtown Flagstaff.

The Best Sushi 1. Karma Sushi Bar Grill 2. Hiro’s Sushi Bar & Japanese Restaurant 3. Go Sushi Food Center, Grand Canyon Youth and Girls on the Run. “We want to be more than just a restaurant—we want to be good community members,” Grant said. “You hope that that makes an impact.”

Along with its donations to the community, Karma has celebrated moments in Flagstaff’s history through selections on its

Customers sit inside of Karma Sushi Bar Grill just after it opened. menu. Two of its signature rolls, the Orpheum and Black Cat, are named for current and past landmarks in the downtown Flagstaff area while the Lucy

offers 10% of its sales to local animal rescue organizations.

For the past year, Karma has sold the Giant Leap roll in honor of the anniversary of the moon

The Best Japanese Food 1. Karma Sushi Bar Grill 2. Hiro’s Sushi Bar & Japanese Restaurant 3. Sakura Sushi & Teppanyaki landing and the accompanied celebrations within Flagstaff.

Slight additions to the menu for special occasions have helped keep the menu fresh during Karma’s tenure in the city.

“I think it is awesome, for the record,” Grant said of the Giant Leap roll, which includes snow crab, avocado, mango and tobiko inside, and is topped with scallops and a spicy sauce. “It is one of the best rolls we have come up with in recent history.

We are always just trying to find little things, new things.”

Grant also pointed to Karma’s

expanded Japanese whisky selection which includes 19 different types currently on the wall.

“We have our mainstays,

Thank You for selecting us

BEST DELI SANDWICH for 2019!

but we try to change the menu every six months to a year and a half, just to always try and keep things fresh on some end,” Grant said. “We have to have

kind of a spine and backbone of a sushi bar. That’s going to be consistent in bringing people back, but at the same time our tagline is ‘fresh, beautiful and delicious.’ We like people to come in and say, ‘Oh there’s something different today.’”

And while the options for sushi and Japanese food have expanded in Flagstaff over the past decade, Grant said Karma appreciates the additional restaurants moving into the same space while also knowing the restaurant has a strong loyal following in town.

“We welcome the competition. We’d like more and more great sushi restaurants to open in Flagstaff because that elevates everything we are trying to do,” Grant said. “It gets more people excited about sushi, it pushes us a little bit harder to stay on our game.”

It’s a three-peat! (plus one)

Best Fine Dining Best Outdoor Dining Best Overall Restaurant 30 7W

Sunday BBQ Ham Monday Pastrami Tuesday Crystal Veggie Wednesday Crystal Rapids Thursday Meatball Friday Tuna Salad Saturday Turkey 15 BEERS ON TAP

for voting the 1899 winner in four categories!

Best Waitstaff Du po nt Ave

ı 9 28 .52 3.1 89 9

ı 1 89 9b ara nd gril l.co m

Your Locally Owned and Operated Sandwich Shop

1051 S. Milton Road • 928-774-9373 Dec. 8, 2019

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Ethnic food’s home away from home Himalayan Grill | 801 S. Milton Rd. | By Kaitlin Olson

‌W

hen Ramesh Poudel and his family moved to Flagstaff in 2007 to open a restaurant, it was like a homecoming: The mountains and pine trees reminded them not of the urban sprawl of Los Angeles, their previous residence, but of their family home in Nepal.

Although Poudel’s uncle had been the only one with previous restaurant experience at the time, the family decided it couldn’t be that difficult.

“We told ourselves, ‘You can do it. It’s not rocket science; let’s start,’” Poudel, owner of Himalayan Grill, said with a cheery laugh. “That’s the main spirit behind the start of this restaurant.”

Twelve years later, it seems they have conquered the challenges of the industry, being awarded three Best of Flag titles this year for Indian Food, Lunch and Family Dining— awards that will join a wall in the restaurant already lined with Best of Flag distinctions.

Poudel attributes Himalayan Grill’s success to its options beyond traditional Indian fare: It’s the Tibetan and Nepali dishes like chau chau (pan fried noodles), as well as an emphasis on using less grease and spice that distinguish it from other Indian restaurants.

For its Indian recipes that do overlap, like creamy chicken 12 Best of Flag

JAKE BACON PHOTOS, ARIZONA DAILY SUN‌

Ramesh Poudel, owner of the Himalayan Grill, stands in the restaurant dining room.

The Best Family Dining 1. Himalayan Grill 2. Fratelli pizza 3. La Fonda’s Mexican Restaurant

tikka masala, Poudel said the difference is minor, but characteristic, like different types of English accents.

Location certainly hasn’t hurt the business. In a primo spot right off Milton Road, it’s not uncommon for the restaurant to be filled from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., during its $8.99

lunch buffet. The numerous vegetarian and vegan options are a big draw, too.

Even famous politicians and athletes can’t seem to resist

stopping in for a meal.

“We have a little advantage here because we serve ethnic food, so people who love ethnic food have to come here,”

The Best Indian Food 1. Himalayan Grill 2. Delhi Palace Cuisine of India 3. India Palace

The Best Lunch Food 1. Himalayan Grill 2. Brandy’s Restaurant & Bakery 3. 1899 Grill

Poudel said.

Of the 10 entrees served at lunch daily, about six of the most popular stay around for the next day.

On any given day, guests can find a variety of rich dishes without the sting of spice, like tender chicken makhani (but-

ter chicken), the savory spinach and cheese of saag paneer and the delectable mixed vegetable korma that blends melt-inyour-mouth vegetables with a sweet cashew-curry sauce.

And don’t forget syrup-filled gulab jamun and mango pudding for dessert.

Unlike some of the franchises in the area, Poudel said physical presence matters, so he is at the restaurant six days a week, working to satisfy the unique

needs of his guests, about a third of which are regulars.

When the restaurant reopens at 5 p.m. for dinner, it becomes a hub for families. During this time, Poudel frequently pushes tables together to accommodate large groups of diners partaking in any number of dishes on the expansive dinner menu from appetizers like somosa, deep-fried potato pastries, to combination dinners fit to feed a crowd. For patrons preferring

the ambience elsewhere, the same options are easily bundled and sent out for delivery.

Above all else, Poudel said this constant support from patron groups large and small as well as the larger community has made the difference, allowing Himalayan Grill to create a lasting home in a mountain town much as small and peaceful as the ones it strives to emulate.

“Thanks to the people of Flagstaff, since we opened we’ve never looked back,” Poudel said.

THE COMPETITION IS

BEST JAPANESE 1st Place

BEST SUSHI

BEST HAPPY HOUR

1st Place

Green with envy

3rd Place

THANK YOU FLAGSTAFF!

#

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®

Thanks for voting our salads 1

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6 E. Route 66 • 928.774.6100 karmaflagstaff.com

Italian Joint Dec. 8, 2019

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Flagstaff’s

‘third place’ FLG Terroir | 17 N. San Francisco St. | By Gabriel Granillo

‌F

or Fred Wojtkielewicz, FLG Terroir: Wine Bar & Bistro is timeless.

“When The Wine Loft closed in 2015, I found new folks to work with who allowed me freedom creatively as well as financial support to make the business a success,” he said.

A success is an understatement.

In its four years, FLG Terroir has garnered numerous awards including Wine Spectator’s Best of Award of Excellence in 2018. FLG 14 Best of Flag

The Best Restaurant Wine Selection 1. FLG Terroir 2. 1899 Bar & Grill 3. Brix

cup of coffee from Firecreek roasters while watching the last hues of golden hour above the Hotel Monte Vista’s neon orange sign.

More than simply a place to drink wine, Wojtkielewicz said FLG Terroir has a great atmosphere, perfect for settling down after work and enjoying company with the ones you love.

“FLG Terroir is a conversation bar, first and foremost. I have always considered FLG Terroir as a ‘Great Third Place,’” Wojtkielewicz said.

“First you have your home and secondly work, then, as writer Ray Oldenberg says, ‘Your third place is where you relax in public, where you encounter familiar faces and make new acquaintances.’ To us, FLG Terroir is about community and finding our place in it.”

Voted Best of Flagstaff 18 YEARS IN A ROW! PIZZA | LOCAL BEER | CALZONES SALADS | WINGS

Thanks FLAGSTAFF

AGAIN

Terroir has for several years placed and/or won the annual Best of Flag award for Best Restaurant Wine Selection.

This year, FLG Terroir again assumes the honor.

FLG Terroir has around 500 wine labels, making its selection one of the largest in Flagstaff. The restaurant also offers 30 wines by the glass and a small selection of bottled beers with a focus on Belgian Ales.

On FLG Terroir’s wine selection, Wojtkielewicz said there are numerous considerations.

“The wine list at FLG Terroir represents the wine world at large, with an emphasis on classic representations of varietals and regional characteristics, as well as a focus on family-owned wineries that farm either organic or sustainable with minimal intervention,” he said.

Of course, the restaurant offers more than just wine. Its kitchen also offers small food items such as oysters by the half shell, cheese and meat plates, a ratatouille panini, caviar, salads, German-style pretzels, flavor of the day ice cream and so much more.

Not in the mood for wine?

Enjoy the bird’s-eye view of San Francisco Street traffic from FLG Terroir’s second-floor window while indulging in one of its housemade sodas which come in flavors like strawberry, prickly pear, lychee and root beer. Enjoy a bottomless

Stop in for daily specials and Happy Hour!!

FORT VALLEY ROAD 1850 N. Fort Valley Rd. (928) 440-5441

SOUTH of the TRACKS 119 W. Phoenix Ave (928) 774 - 9200

EASTSIDE

2120 N. Fourth Street (928) 714 - 9700

Dec. 8, 2019

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FRESH-BAKED in

the heart of downtown Mozelle’s Downtown Bakery | 6 E. Aspen Ave. | By Svea Conrad

‌A

ndrea Knott began baking when she was a little girl. Eight, maybe 9 years old, she’d go into the kitchen under her mother’s supervision and begin to experiment.

“Nobody in my family really baked, it was all boxed deserts,” said Knott, who would go on to attend pastry school in Los Angeles. “It was just something I found interesting on my own.”

JAKE BACON PHOTOS, ARIZONA DAILY SUN‌ Fast forward some 30 years Andrea Knott, right, and her mom, Jeanie Boggs, stand in the and Knott opened her very Mozelle’s Downtown Bakery on Heritage Square.

16 Best of Flag

own bakery in the heart of historic downtown Flagstaff, called Mozelle’s Downtown Bakery, named in honor of her late grandmother. The bakery operated out of a 270-squarefoot space on Aspen Avenue for many years, its windows steaming up with heat from the ovens in winter, the door open in summer to let in the fresh air.

Mozelle’s recently moved from the Aspen storefront, now occupied by Lux North, to Heritage Square — quite literally

The Best Bakery 1. Mozelle’s Downtown Bakery 2. Tourist Home All Day Cafe 3. Brandy’s Restaurant & Bakery (tie) 3. Sweet E’s Creations the center of downtown. Knott traded a small space for a plethora of square-footage, 1,500 total, floor-to ceiling windows and a kitchen more than twice the size of the old one.

“We were a little hidden down there [on Aspen],” Knott said. “People would say they’d find us from the smell of baked goods but we knew we needed a bigger spot and we decided we’d better take it and go. We’ve been really, really busy since we moved, it’s great.”

Knott herself decorated the new Mozelle’s. With pastel-yellow walls, baby blue and light

Andrea Knott, owner of Mozelle’s Downtown Bakery, holds her favorite creation, the blondie bar. purple chairs, the bakery looks like something from a fairy tale, bright and inviting. The move also allowed the business to expand its offerings, among those

T hank You Flagstaff for Voting us

Best Indian Food Best Lunch Best Family Dining

801 S. Milton Rd. Unit A, Flagstaff 928-213-5444 •www.himalayangrill.com

coffee — with lattes, Americanos and espressos — and bread, including a classic white bread, sourdough and focaccia. Knott has also introduced more

breakfast pastries to the menu.

Among her personal favorites are some old classics, though, Please see MOZELLE’S, Page 19

We at Macy’s would like to thank the people of Flagstaff for 40 wonderful years of serving you. We wouldn’t be here today without you, the most beautiful customers in the world!

We always wanted Macy’s to be a microcosm of the way the world will be some day. People coming together of different backgrounds, races and creeds in the spirit of unity, fellowship, and love.

We are all so blessed to live in this wonderful town. It’s been a great journey over the years. We look forward to serving you for many years to come.

Peace and Love The Macy’s Family

Dec. 8, 2019

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A decade of local fare Sportsman’s Bar & Grill | 1000 N. Humphreys St. |By Scott Buffon

‌Sportsman’s has won the Best of Flag distinction for Best Sports Bar 10 years in a row and owner Craig Hindman is running out of space on the wall to hang all the certificates.

“To be honest, we’ve got the same families in here two or three times a week,” Hindman said. “For us to win, it is pretty amazing.”

Hindman said he is especially honored to have won the award when there are other good sports bars in town like Collin’s Irish Pub, Majerle’s Sports Grill and Buffalo Wild Wings. That being said, Hindman prides himself on serving local crowds whether they’re doctors working nearby, mechanics in town or kids after a hockey game. Hindman said he

The Best Sports Bar 1. Sportsman’s Bar & Grill 2. Majerle’s Sports Grill 3. Majestic Marketplace encourages people to come out dressed for comfort.

And don’t be surprised if you see him or his two kids who work at the bar when you come by.

“It’s just nice to have a place where there are friends and family,” Hindman said.

When Hindman purchased Sportsman’s, it only had two working TVs. He’s now serving a building capacity of 95 with 18 TVs playing every type of major league sport and a full menu.

Mozelle's

Downtown Bakery in Flagstaff

Located AT 6 E Aspen ave Flagstaff, AZ

That menu includes appetizers, salads and wraps, burgers, sandwiches, baskets and a kid’s menu. And for anyone looking for a drink, there are 22 beers to choose from on tap.

For Hindman, Granny’s Closet was a go-to when he was in college and he said he always loved their chicken. While he misses the restaurant since it closed, he has hoped to allow Sportsman’s

to fill the void. He tries to keep the food as cheap as he can and offers half-off wings on Wednesdays, in honor of Granny’s 10-cent wings.

The one thing clear about Hindman is how hard he tries to please his customers.

“Thank you for voting for us,” Hindman said. “Please continue to vote for us. We want to do everything to keep the locals happy here in town.”

Thank you FlagsTaFF! Voted The Best Thai Food for 10 years!!

Mozelle’s Downtown Bakery-Wedding Cakes, Specialty Cakes, Cheesecakes, Cupcakes, Pies, Macaroons.

Gluten free requests

20 E Route 66

Ranked top 10 best desserts in Arizona by Best of AZ and voted Best of Flagstaff 2019, Bakery!

18 Best of Flag

928-213-1825 www.patothai.com

Mozelle’s From 17

including the blondie bar and cinnamon coffee cake.

Knott arrives to begin the morning bake every day at around 4:30 a.m.; it’s a routine that has not changed with Mozelle’s recent expansion. Knott and her husband both arrive in the wee hours as she prepares the pastries and other breakfast items and he gets to work on the cinnamon rolls — something Knott taught him to do many years ago.

Nowadays the Knotts’ five children help out too. The youngest — at 11 years old — likes to make the occasional batch of cookies “when she feels like it,” Knott said. The eldest two are away at college, but their 17-year-old daughter is there helping out almost every day.

After several years of owning

A selection of baked goods in the display case at Mozelle’s Downtown Bakery. and operating Mozelle’s, Knott still makes it a point to be involved at nearly every step of the baking process, working to craft cases full of delicious baked

2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019

THANK YOU FLAGSTAFF FOR YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT!! $

400 16oz

CRAFT BEER SPECIALS

goods, anything from croissants to brownies to Danishes to custom cakes and pies — everything is crafted with ingredients and quality constantly in mind.

“I like to make sure that we still bake everything from scratch,” she said. “Every day, everything is made from scratch, no preservatives.”

AGSTAFF L F U O Y K N A TH us as for selecting S in 2019!

N WING BEST CHICKE CRAFT BEER LICE * LOCAL

PIZZA BY THE S

$

600

32oz CRAFT BEER SPECIALS

MONDAY

$

200

RIBS

WEDNESDAY

1/2 OFF

ALL WINGS

TUESDAY

$

200

TACOS ACOS THURSDAY Y

$

200

Lunch Specials M-F 11am-2pm • Happy Hour M-F 2pm-5pm

Dine-In or Call for Delivery and See for Yourself why we have been a LOCAL TRUSTED FAVORITE for 40 years!!

We deliver all day, every day!

SLIDERS Every NFL, NHL, MLB, NBA, MLS Game Available!

1000 North Humphreys Street, Flagstaff • (928) 774-4022

OPEN 11AM-CLOSE • 7 DAYS A WEEK

www.nimarcospizza.com DOWNTOWN (928) 779-2691 101 South Beaver St.

WESTSIDE (928) 779-0024 1800 S. Milton Ste. 500

EASTSIDE - NOW OPEN!!

(928) 779-0024 3715 E Kasper Ave. Dec. 8, 2019

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Classic sandwiches on the main drag Crystal Creek Sandwich Co. | 1051 S. Milton Rd. | By Svea Conrad

‌C

rystal Creek Sandwich Co. is the kind of place that feels like it’s been around since time immemorial. Located in the small but packed shopping strip along Milton Road that also houses Little Thai Kitchen and Los Gordos, Crystal Creek has long been a mainstay of the main drag. It’s also very accessible for the college crowd, which has flocked there for many decades.

The place is reminiscent of a classic deli-style sand-

wich shop meets sports bar.

With pool tables, mirrors and bright beer-garden lights, it’s the perfect spot for a casual lunch. Its wooden booths and tiled floors only add to an aesthetic that is inviting but not at all pretentious.

Crystal Creek’s forte lies, as its title suggests, in sandwiches, with selections that cover several pages of wellworn and well-loved menus.

Avocado BLT’s, Reubens and hot pastrami sandwiches are just a couple of the classics the shop offers on its menu.

Then, as one keeps paging through, they’ll find the Crystal Creek originals, with clever names like Grand Rapids, to match the geographical idiosyncrasies of Flagstaff and northern Arizona. Grand

Sunday OPEN MIC @ 4

Saturday LIVE MUSIC

The Best Deli Sandwich 1. Crystal Creek Sandwich Co. 2. Proper Meats + Provisions 3. Jitter’s Lunchbox

Rapids includes genoa salami, smoked ham, turkey breast, lean roast beef, bacon, avocado, cream cheese, cheddar and provolone cheese on a white roll at $7.99 for a very large, full sandwich, and a little more than $5 for half a sandwich.

Other local creations include Crystal Rapids, a sandwich of genoa salami, smoked ham, turkey breast, lean roast beef, cheddar and provolone cheese on a white roll, and Spicy French Dip, which includes thinly sliced lean roast

Monday Karaoke

Friday Country Night

Tuesday LINE DANCE LESSONS & KARAOKE

Thursday LINE DANCE LESSONS & KARAOKE

Thanks Flagstaff for voting us Best Place To Go Dancing!

Wednesday DIME BEER NIGHT Celebrating 30 years of dime beers!

Come Dance With Us!

3404 E. Route 66 | (928) 440-5214 | museumclub.net 20 Best of Flag

beef, provolone cheese, cream cheese, mild green chile, picante sauce and au jus.

The shop is not devoid of vegetarian options, likely because it knows its town well.

Those include the Crystal Veggie with avocado, cream cheese, walnuts, tomatoes, cucumbers, cheddar, Swiss and provolone cheese on a wheat roll, and the Sonoran Veggie, a creation of cheddar cheese, mild green chiles, picante sauce, tomatoes, cucumber, avocado, cream cheese and sprouts on a wheat roll.

Plus there are daily deals, so make sure to look closely for those.

Several chip and drink options only elevate the shop, an old and well-known classic among Flagstaff’s culinary landscape. Stop in for a bite — you won’t regret it.

Golden

Dragon

Thank You for voting us Best of Flag for 2019!

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Tel: 928-527-0111 928-527-0222 2730 E. Lakin Drive Flagstaff, AZ 86004

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A food truck for all seasons 3’s in the Trees | By MacKenzie Chase

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hances are, 3’s in the Trees’ red food truck is a familiar sight to many in Flagstaff. In fact, owners Augie Herring and Rusty Montoya jokingly refer to Clifford the Big Red Truck as the business’ third owner to match the ‘3’ of its name.

“It was originally a menu concept,” Montoya explained.

“Everything you bought from us came in a set of threes, whether it be three tacos, three sliders, everything cut into threes.”

“And that slowly became very annoying, and we’ve moved past that,” Herring said with a laugh.

The name’s ambiguity also serves as a blank slate for menu development, allowing them to serve different types of food to match whatever event they’re catering, be it a summer wedding, food truck festival, business luncheon, Oktoberfest or a playful snow day at Fort Tuthill’s Flagstaff Snow Park.

“At the snow park we do a completely different menu because people are really hungry and cold, so they want bowls of chili and nachos,” Montoya said.

“It’s impossible for us to print up one menu and put it on our food truck, because we literally have to change it every week.”

However, there are several items that are proven favorites among customers, namely the “That’s Not Cauliflower” Tacos, made with lightly seasoned cauliflower “cooked to perfection,” and topped with cheese, cabbage and homemade salsa.

“Yeah, those definitely keep people coming back or just in22 Best of Flag

The Best Food Truck 1. 3’s in the Trees 2. Alejandro’s Mexican Food 3. Fratelli Pizza trigued in general,” Montoya said.

“Even the meat-eaters get those,” Herring added.

Then there’s the pulled pork, which is featured on several menu items like the Zona Tacos, cooked with hot green chiles, and the Kona Sandwich, where it’s topped with grilled pineapple and barbecue sauce.

Both the pork and brisket are slow roasted, something 3’s in the Trees hopes make them stand out among other restaurants that gravitate more toward smoked meats.

Montoya and Herring have both led long careers in the food industry, managing the Ski Lift

Lodge Restaurant near Arizona Snowbowl for five years before opening 3’s in the Trees in May 2015.

“We were just thinking, with all the time and effort we put into that place, why not try to do it for ourselves,” Montoya said. “And that way we could deal with fewer employees and mainly rely upon ourselves for everything. Still to this day, we do everything.”

3’s in the Trees has allowed

them to experiment and build a name for themselves as a friendly, reliable business while other food trucks have come and gone.

“It’s a great feeling to win [Best of Flag] because the people get to vote on it so I feel like we’re doing something right,” Herring said. “[I enjoy] being able to see our regulars come back week after week and just knowing somebody is appreciating what we’re doing.”

Best Real Estate Company 2019 Best Property Management Company 2019 Thank You Flagstaff!

The Best is Yet to Come

928-526-5309 www.FlagstaffRealEstate.com Dec. 8, 2019

23

‌DINING & DRINKS WINNERS Bakery 1 Mozelle’s Downtown

Bakery 2 Tourist Home All Day

Cafe 3 Brandy’s Restaurant &

Bakery (tie) 3 Sweet E’s Creations Bar Food 1 Annex Cocktail Lounge 2 Lumberyard Brewing Company 3 Beaver Street Brewery Barbecue 1 Satchmo’s 2 Bigfoot BBQ 3 Agee’s Barbecue Market Bartending Staff 1 Annex Cocktail Lounge 2 1899 Bar and Grill 3 Mother Road Brewing

Company Breakfast 1 MartAnne’s 2 Brandy’s Restaurant &

Bakery 3 Tourist Home All Day

Cafe Breakfast Burrito 1 Dog Haus 2 MartAnne’s Breakfast

Palace 3 Tourist Home All Day

Cafe Brewery 1 Mother Road Brewing

Company 2 Lumberyard Brewing Company 3 Historic Brewing

Company Brunch 1 Brandy’s Restaurant &

Bakery 2 MartAnne’s 3 Tourist Home All Day

Cafe Burger 1 Mama Burger 2 Diablo Burger 3 Annex Cocktail Lounge Candy Store 1 Sweet Shoppe Candy

Store 2 Flagstaff Chocolate

Company 3 Flagstaff Nut House 24 Best of Flag

Chicken Wings 1 NiMarco’s Pizza 2 Fratelli Pizza 3 Buffalo Wild Wings Chinese Food 1 Golden Dragon 2 Hunan West 3 August Moon Cocktail 1 Annex Cocktail Lounge 2 Rendezvous 3 Lumberyard Coffee House 1 Macy’s Coffee House 2 Late for the Train 3 Dutch Bros. Coffee Coffee Roaster 1 Firecreek Coffee

Company (tie) 1 Late for the Train 3 Macy’s Coffee House Deli Sandwich 1 Crystal Creek Sandwich

Co 2 Proper Meats +

Provisions 3 Jitter’s Lunchbox Dessert 1 Tourist Home All Day

Cafe 2 Mozelle’s Downtown

Bakery 3 Oregano’s Dive Bar 1 Monte Vista Cocktail

Lounge 2 Gopher Hole 3 Sportsman’s Bar & Grill Family Dining 1 Himalayan Grill 2 Fratelli Pizza 3 La Fonda’s Mexican

Restaurant Fine Dining 1 1899 Bar & Grill 2 Josephine’s Modern

American Bistro 3 Brix Restaurant & Wine

Bar Food Truck 1 3’s in the Trees 2 Alejandro’s Mexican Food 3 Fratelli Pizza Happy Hour 1 Annex Cocktail Lounge (tie) 1 Criollo Latin Kitchen 3 Karma Sushi Bar Grill

Hole in the Wall Restaurant 1 Satchmo’s BBQ 2 Aloha Hawaiian BBQ

Restaurant 3 Bigfoot BBQ Hot Dog 1 Dog Haus 2 Primo’s Deli 3 Sam’s Club Ice Cream/ Frozen Yogurt 1 Cold Stone Creamery 2 Baskin-Robbins 3 Pizzicletta—Gelato Indian Food 1 Himalayan Grill 2 Delhi Palace Cuisine of

India 3 India Palace Italian Restaurant 1 Fat Olives 2 Mamma Luisa 3 Oregano’s Japanese Food 1 Karma Sushi Bar Grill 2 Hiro’s Sushi Bar &

Japanese Restaurant 3 Sakura Sushi &

Teppanyaki Late Night Snack 1 Aloha Hawaiian BBQ

Restaurant 2 Beaver Street Brewery/

Brews & Cues 3 SoSoBa Lunch Food 1 Himalayan Grill 2 Brandy’s Restaurant &

Bakery 3 1899 Grill Mexican Food 1 La Fonda Mexican

Restaurant 2 Salsa Brava 3 MartAnne’s New Restaurant 1 Brandy’s Cafe 2 Lux North 3 Go Sushi Outdoor Dining 1 1899 Bar & Grill 2 Annex Cocktail Lounge 3 Oakmont Overall Restaurant 1 1899 Bar & Grill 2 Shift 3 Fat Olives Pizza 1 Fratelli Pizza 2 NiMarco’s Pizza 3 Pizzicletta

Restaurant Wine Selection 1 FLG Terroir 2 1899 Bar & Grill 3 Brix Salad 1 Oregano’s 2 MIX Flagstaff 3 Wildflower Bread

Company Salsa 1 Salsa Brava 2 La Fonda Mexican

Restaurant 3 El Capitan Mexican Grill (tie) 3 Kachina Downtown Soup 1 Wildflower Bread

Company 2 Cafe Daily Fare 3 Jitter’s Lunchbox (tie) 3 SoSoBa Sports Bar 1 Sportsman’s Bar & Grill 2 Majerle’s Sports Grill 3 Majestic Marketplace Steakhouse 1 Horsemen Lodge 2 1899 Bar & Grill 3 Texas Roadhouse Sushi 1 Karma Sushi Bar Grill 2 Hiro’s Sushi Bar &

Japanese Restaurant 3 Go Sushi Tacos 1 La Fonda 2 Tacos Los Altos, Eastside 3 Criollo Latin Kitchen Thai 1 Pato Thai Cuisine 2 Dara Thai Restaurant 3 Swaddee Authentic Thai

Cuisine Vegetarian Selection 1 Red Curry Kitchen 2 Pita Jungle 3 Macy’s Coffee House Waitstaff 1 1899 Bar & Grill 2 Brandy’s Restaurant &

Bakery 3 Annex Cocktail Lounge (tie) 3 La Fonda

SERVICES Dec. 8, 2019

25

Shelter helps animals find their forever home High Country Humane | 11665 N. US-89 | By Gabriel Granillo

‌F

or many, pets are more than four-legged friends. They become family members in their own right, leaving their mark in our hearts and on our rugs.

And the folks over at High Country Humane understand that, when it comes to adopting a pet, the decision is important and can change one’s 26 Best of Flag

The Best Pet Adoption 1. High Country Humane 2. Coconino Humane Association 3. Ark Cat Sanctuary life, which is why High Country Humane has been selected

as of one this year’s Best of Flag winners in the category for Pet Adoption.

HCH’s mission is to “provide the highest level of care possible and ensure the best possible outcome for the companion animals in our shelter; and to act as a community resource that provides animal care education and resources

for the residents of Coconino County,” according to its vision statement. With only one year in operation, HCH has accomplished this mission and is already looking forward to goals for the future.

Of course, HCH’s history goes back to 2006 when Paw Please see SHELTER, Page 28

928-526-9333

Thanks

Flagstaff for voting Behmer Roofing the BEsT Roofing Company for 2019!! ROC #200895

Dorothy’s K-9 Grooming (928) 522-0788

Thank You Flagstaff for making us your favorite pet salon. We look forward to keeping Flagstaff pets looking fabulous.

Come in for a pawdicure or give us a call to make your styling appointment.

THANK YOU FLAGSTAFF!! voTed BesT oF FlagsTaFF BesT auTo repair and BesT oil change Thank you To our cusTomers For your paTronage over The years!

BEST TATTOO PARLOR 2017, 2018 & 2019

THANK YOU FOR VOTING US

BEST OF FLAG

2500 S. WOODLANDS VILLAGE BLVD STE 27 WWW.AVAILTATTOOSTUDIO.COM

.

.

BUILDING COMMUNITY THROUGH ART & SERVICE

Dec. 8, 2019

27

Shelter From 26

Placement of Northern Arizona was formed to help local shelters reduce the number of at-risk dogs and cats through its fostering and adoption programs. Over eight years, Paw Placement helped rescue 844 dogs and cats, and in 2012 the organization opened Rescue Me! adoption center at Flagstaff Mall. In 2016, Paw Placement established the Flagstaff Animal Welfare Task Force.

When Second Chance Center for Animals closed in 2017, the founders and board of directors donated the land to Coconino County provided the building would continue to be used as an animal shelter.

Finally, in 2018, the Coconino County Board of Supervisors awarded the contract to Paw Placement, who now runs the facility under High Country 28 Best of Flag

Humane.

“We’re just very thankful to be recognized. We’re so grateful, especially since this is our first year in operation,” Liz Bohlke, interim executive director at HCH, said. “It’s really a service to the community.

That we provide adoptions is

great, but we’re also trying to take care of the community and service their needs.”

Those services include a working cats program, which places cats around work sites for inexpensive, safe and effective rodent control, a pet food pantry and more.

When asked what makes HCH so special only one year into its operation, Bohlke is quick to recognize her staff.

“I think our staff is fabulous,” she said. “When you come and look for a pet, they understand what you want, take time [with you] to get the right pet.”

winter19 namlm.com

29

Apartment living

DONE WELL Highland Village Apartments | 2800 S. Highland Mesa Rd. | By MacKenzie Chase

This year, as chosen by Best of Flag voters, Flagstaff ’s top three apartment buildings — Highland Village Apartments, Woodlands Village Apartments and Country Club Meadows — all fall under the welcoming umbrella of Bella Investment Group.

Bella Investment Group is proud of the connections they are able to build within each apartment community and the satisfaction residents feel knowing they’re living somewhere run by people who care about them.

“We foster a sense of community,” said Terry Tress, Woodlands Village property

manager. “Our resident events and our customer service stand out among the other properties in Flagstaff.”

“We’re building up our communities, we’re establishing those relationships with our residents,” added Community Engagement Coordinator Khara House.

“Our company vision is to add value, so we try to do that with not only the properties themselves and our stakeholders and owners, but also the residents, adding value to their lives as well.”

Woodlands and Highland Village are geared more toward student populations,

and Highland property manager Christina Montilel said two things that are emphasized within her community are “getting to know your neighbors and being part of something.”

Many of the residents at these two apartment buildings are new to Flagstaff, so events are held to help them get involved and learn more about all the city has to offer outside of student life. For example, Woodlands took its residents to see the premiere of Frozen 2 and Highland recently hosted its annual Fall Local Event, which featured live music and food, drawing out a large crowd.

Country Club Meadows LAUREN SCHLEIFER, COURTESY 30 Northern Arizona’s Mountain Living Magazine

The Best Apartment Community 1. Highland Village 2. Woodlands Village 3. Country Club Meadows As for Country Club Meadows, property manager Jamie Medina said she enjoys the homey feel of the community.

“We’re all family there,” she said.

Many of the residents stick around, too, with lease renewals a big part of Bella Investment Group’s model.

“What all these communities do well is we get residents and they choose to stay with us, even with a lot of new competition,” House said.

“We have so many residents who choose to stay because it does become that sense of home that they get within our communities.

Please see APARTMENT, Page 32

Highland Village Apartments

Thank You for Voting Munderloh Integrated Medical the Best Chiropractor again in 2019!

Tim Munderloh D.C., F.I.A.C.N

We are a non-narcotic, integrated medical rehabilitation-based clinic in Northern Arizona, offering a variety of pain-relieving options to assist patients in achieving optimum health.

Services Provided:

Thank you

Flagstaff for voting us #1 for your Heating and Cooling needs!

Travis Stiegler D.O.

Chiropractic Adjustments • Osteopathic Manipulations Regenerative Amniotic Tissue Injections (containing stem cells) Bio-identical Hormone Replacement Therapy Trigger Point & Joint Injections Lumbar & Cervical Decompression Cervical Rehabilitation • BioMechanical Taping Graston Technique • Soft Tissue Therapies AquaMed Hydrotherapy • Craniosacral Therapy Custom Orthotics • Allergy Immunotherapy

We carry CBD products, Biofreeze, Sombra, dietary supplements, TheraGun Units Tens units and support braces Blake Pennock

Peptide Therapy and IV Vitamin Drips now being offered

D.C.

Proudly serving Flagstaff since 1951.

1501 S. Yale St. #250 • Flagstaff, AZ 86001 • 928.556.0707 azintegratedmedical.com Dec. 8, 2019

31

Apartment From 31

“I’d say overall we’re just really proud as a company to see our three properties take those top three spots,” House said. “It says a lot about the communities themselves, I think it says a lot about the teams that work at those properties, it also says a lot about the residents who made that choice to vote for their communities and show that they’ve chosen a place to call home.”

Terry Tress, property manager, Woodlands Village; Jamie Medina, property manager, Country Club; Christina Montilel, property manager, Highland Village; Brent Petit, leasing manager, Highland Village

THANK YOU

LAUREN SCHLEIFER, COURTESY‌

Woodlands Village Apartments

“Best Place to Adopt” We’d like to thank the readers of the Daily Sun for voting us “Best Place to Adopt.”

This is our first year of operation, so being “new to the neighborhood” we especially appreciate this recognition and support from the community.

We care for the shelter animals as if they were our own, and we work hard to place each pet into a loving home.

for Voting us Best Travel Agency 19 Years in a Row! 2100 E. Cedar Ave. Flagstaff, AZ avenuesoftheworld.com (928) 556-0853 • 1-800-230-3322 32 Best of Flag

We hope you will consider High Country Humane, and the animals we care for, when making your charitable giving this holiday season.

High Country Humane 11665 N. Hwy 89 Flagstaff, AZ 86004 www.HighCountryHumane.org

Welcome home, Flagstaff PrimeLending | 1600 W. University Ave., Suite 112 | By MacKenzie Chase

‌T

hroughout his 10 years with PrimeLending — and 17 years total in the industry — Senior Loan Officer and Branch Manager Paul Conigliari has found one piece of advice from which the majority of his clients can benefit.

“It’s never too early to start planning,” he said. “It’s never too early. Often people wait too long, they find something they want and there wasn’t really time to put a plan in place for them.”

In Flagstaff, Conigliari recognizes the disparity between the average household income and housing costs, but is com-

mitted to working with these common financial challenges, calling it a puzzle that needs to be solved.

PrimeLending’s loan officers are dedicated to helping people from all walks of life whether they’re looking to buy the home of their dreams, refinancing or renovating. As noted on the website, “From the day you make your offer, to the day you get your keys and every day in between — the Flagstaff team will support you every step of the way.” This year marks the eighth PrimeLending has been recognized in Best of Flag for their service.

The Best Mortgage Company 1. PrimeLending 2. Wallick & Volk Mortgage 3. Academy Mortgage Corporation “I think what makes us stand out is our experience,” Conigliari said. “We have pretty much four teams here and we’ve each been in the business for decades. We’re well-established loan officers, and we have a lot of pride in the company we work for because they really support us and support the

community.”

Home ownership is a huge milestone in a person’s life, and the loan process isn’t one to be taken lightly. Applicants begin with an online application to receive an estimate before the property in question is appraised. Once the value is established, the client’s rate is locked and they’re ready to set an appointment to sign and close on their new home. The final step? Settle in and relax.

“We’ve been here for a while and we enjoy serving Flagstaff,” Conigliari said. “We’re very grateful to be recognized by the community.”

residential and commercial interior design services

AZROC 220541 / 318625

2006, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019

thank you for voting us Best of Flagstaff 12 times!

Sara Herron, ASID

2008 Young Professional ATHENA recipient 2905 north fourth street | flagstaff, arizona 86004 | NCIDQ certificate no. 019470

928 226 8826 | sara.herron@herroninteriors.com | herroninteriors.com call today for a free on-site consultation

Flagstaff’s Local Solution Dec. 8, 2019

33

A family thing Behmer Roofing Co. | 1710 E. Arrowhead Ave. | By MacKenzie Chase

‌B

ehmer Roofing Co. has been a familiar name in northern Arizona since 1984, but this year marks the first the residential and commercial roofing business has been awarded Best of Flag.

“It’s such a big deal here in Flagstaff, and we just love the community,” Linda Garcia, office manager, said. “I’m a native of Flagstaff so it just feels good to work in the community I was raised in and be acknowledged 34 Best of Flag

for our work ethic and skill.”

Owner Matt Behmer’s grandfather started his own roofing company in the 1940s, and the trade has remained in the family ever since. He bought Behmer Roofing from his uncle three years ago and is proud to carry on the business.

“It’s not just a roofing company, it’s a family,” Behmer said.“It’s been a family thing forever. Rene [Longoria, operations manager] might as well be

The Best Roofing 1. Behmer Roofing Co. 2. Big Sky Roofing 3. Ideal Roofing Co. LLC

my brother, Linda is my sister in law, my wife runs the office, our niece works for us… A lot of companies come and go, but we’ve been here for a long time.

I just think that says a lot to be a steady name.”

Employment remains steady as well. One employee has worked for the company since 1986, and Longoria began his career as a roofer more than 15 years ago with Behmer working his way up through the ranks.

“Everything I know, I learned from Matt,” Longoria said.

“When Rene started, we Please see ROOFING, Page 36

University AUto repAir Season’s Greetings During this holiday season, we wish you all the best.

Sedric cade 524 N. Humphreys 928-774-3090 800-441-4651

Mark Frank 1016 W. University Ave. Suite 106 928-774-4766 866-998-4766

JaYne POWeLL 9 N. Elden Suite 103 928-556-8655 800-556-9450

Derrick Jackson 1500 E. Cedar Ave.

Ben BreWSTer 319 S. Regent St.

rOSS nichOLLS 1403 S. Plaza

eric FernandeZ 2405 N Rose St,

Suite 50 928-774-5993 800-406-3581

928-226-1012 877-928-1012

Suite 213 928-526-0064

928-522-6166

www.edwardjones.com Member SIPC

thank You

FlagstaFF! Best Brake repair

THANK YOU FLAGSTAFF For voting us Best Home, Kitchen & Bath Remodeler 3 Years in a Row!

Locally owned by Andy & Laura Leigh Mathis. ROC # 303301

928-707-0315 kitchentuneup.com 1 DAY WOOD RESTORATION REFACING & REDOORING NEW CABINETS + DESIGN ACCESSORIES AND MORE

928-779-3144 1864 s Woodlands village Blvd.

Flagstaff, Arizona 86001 Monday to Friday: 7:30 AM - 5:30 pM www.universityautoflagstaff.com Dec. 8, 2019

35

Roofing From 34

were on the roof together,” Behmer said. “Now he runs the daily show, he’s quality control, scheduling… We pro-

vide that opportunity for our guys. We’ve had a lot of guys start as laborers and work up, and they’re making really good money in leadership roles.”

“I have a lot of new guys and they’re going to want to stay

here because we’re teaching them the right way to do stuff,” Longoria said.

In Flagstaff, inclement weather is an important factor to consider when installing any roofing system. Behmer said

his team often installs asphalt shingles and standing seam metal roofing, which is ideal for snowy climates. They also do a lot of built-up roofing, a system that has been in use for more than 100 years.

Excellent Service Graciously Provided ROC286350 LIC/BON/INS

Each client and their needs are unique, which means we build homes small and affordable to large and lavish.

Whatever the budget we promise to build a quality home of which you can be proud.

THANK YOU FOR VOTING US

Thank you Flagstaff for voting us Best Electrician 3 Years in a Row!

928-853-9594 24 Hour emergency generator service For Home and business

GENERAC Authorized Dealer, Service & Repair

36 Best of Flag

BEst HomE BuildEr / rEmodElEr AGAIN FOR 2019! THIS IS 11 YeARS IN A ROw! 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 & 2019

dEsign · Build · rEmodEl Find out why JKC Inc. General Contractor has been voted Best Home Builder / Remodeler in Flagstaff by contacting us for a FREE CONSULTATION today!

Call 928-606-4378, email office@jkc-inc.com or visit our website www.jkc-inc.com ROC 213940

“A lot of guys don’t do that,” Behmer said. “It’s an old school hot tar roofing method that we’re one of only a handful of people in the state that still do it, and it’s the best flat roof for this climate.”

Behmer Roofing gets contracted for many jobs from Wespac Construction and Capstone Homes, and each shingle roof installed in Flagstaff gets an ice and water shield to prevent ice damming, a build-up that prevents snowmelt from running off roofs.

“When somebody uses us, they get high quality stuff because our guys are our guys,” Behmer said. “They’re trained here. We’re not just picking crews up off the street.”

“They work to our standards, which are very high,” Garcia added. “We put a lot of love and care into every roof we touch.”

THANK YOU FLAGSTAFF for selecting us the BEST DAY SPA and BEST SKIN CARE again in 2019!

Flagstaff’s Premiere Medical Spa Offering Botox, Fillers & Medical Aesthetic Procedures Be sure to stop by and pick up your Holiday Gift Cards Today!

Flagstaff Face & Body is the only local spa to offer ULTHERAPY, “The only FDA cleared device for lifting and tightening”

530 E. Piccadilly Dr. Suite 105 • 928.226.9355 • facebodyspa.com Dec. 8, 2019

37

Painting Flagstaff Major League Painting | 5340 N. Dodge Ave. | By Svea Conrad

‌P

KYLE ZIRKUS, COURTESY‌

Thank You

For

voting

Major League Painting

your

#1 choice For

Best Painting comPany

ROC # 189639

38 Best of Flag

The Best Painting 1. Major League Painting 2. Heber Pro Painting LLC 3. CertaPro Painter of Northern Arizona as the occasional minor drywall repairs. “Nothing crazy,� said Maria Campa, office manager.

And yet, it’s a job that requires a great deal of attention to detail, and the guarantee that the customer be happy with the final product.

Commercially, Major League — a company with a steady em-

A Cleaner You To our dedicated and loyal clients, friends and family we cannot thank you enough.

YOU are all the best and this is such an honor for us.

THANK YOU ALL!!

FlagsTaFF

2019!

ainting houses in Flagstaff is no easy task.

With severe weather variations possible from one day to the next, dry conditions and heavy snowfall being among just a handful of potential obstacles, finding a company that can do the job well is crucial.

Enter Major League Painting.

The Flagstaff-based painting business has operated in town since 1995, with its customer base growing steadily every year. Owners Daniel Raper and Felipe Campa are dedicated to their specialty, which lies in interior, exterior, commercial and residential painting as well

Gossip Girl Salon 2708 N. 4th St St A-5 928-526-3900

928.699.2109

ployee base of 30 to 40 people at any given time — does a lot of work for Wespac Construction Company. Raper and Campa were also tasked with painting the Skyview apartments on NAU’s south campus as well as the new honors dorm, and a recent project saw their team complete a new paint job for the Country Inn & Suites at the corner of Milton and Butler Avenues.

As far as residential buildings, Major League is “all over the place,” Campa said, with homes ranging all the way from Parks east of Flagstaff to Mormon Lake and just about everywhere in between.

Houses present their own challenges, but those are projects they always get done — no matter how big. Houses in Pine Canyon or Forest Highlands, for example, can be challenging, with a great deal of surface area to cover as

well as a lot of detail work. “[But] we can usually make any project happen really,” Campa said.

Major League Painting offers free estimates with no commitment necessary from the customer. Not to mention, the price they quote is the price the customer pays with no changes from beginning to end unless the homeowner asks for something to be added.

“If we estimate it to be $3,000, when we finish it it’s not going to be $4,000, it’s going to be the price we gave you,” Campa said.

At the top of Major League’s list of priorities will always be customer satisfaction.

“I think a lot of our customers are highly satisfied with the finished product and we have tons of referrals, usually word-ofmouth,” Campa said. “I think it’s great that we got chosen as Best of Flag.”

928-779-5066 FlagstaffStorage.com

THANK YOU FLAGSTAFF

for Selecting us BEST SELF STORAGE FACILITY for 2019!

Dec. 8, 2019

39

SERVICES WINNERS Advertising Agency/ Marketing Company 1 Overdrive Media & Printing Services 2 Mountain Mojo Group 3 Hannah Swede Photography

Apartment Community 1 Highland Village 2 Woodlands Village 3 Country Club Meadows

Auto Repair— Collision 1 Terry Marxen Chevrolet Cadillac 2 Route 66 Auto Body, Inc 3 Latham’s Collision

Auto Repair— Mechanical 1 Heath’s Auto Service 2 Findlay Honda 3 R & A Import Auto Parts & Repair

Bank Services 1 Chase Bank 2 Wells Fargo 3 Bank of America

Barbershop 1 Val’s Workshop 2 Kuttz Barbershop 3 Shear Bella Salon

Brake Service 1 University Auto 2 Findlay Toyota 3 Heath’s Auto Service

Car Wash 1 Clean Freak 2 Findlay Honda 3 Speedi Car Wash

Carpet Cleaner

Computer Repairs and Services 1 Best Buy Geek Squad 2 Flagstaff IT 3 Flagstaff Computer Guys

Credit Union 1 One AZ Credit Union 2 Arizona Central Credit Union 3 Coconino Federal Credit Union

Day Care

Heating & Air Conditioning 1 Boyer Heating & Cooling 2 Intermountain Plumbing & Mechanical 3 Papa Charlie’s HeatingCooling

Home and Residential Cleaning Services 1 A Cleaner You 2 Mammoth Restoration 2 Merry Maids

1 Kingdom Kids Preschool and Play Center 2 Abundant Life Preschool 3 Foresight Learning Center

Home Builders/ General Contractors

Day Spa

Home, Kitchen, Bath Remodelers

1 Flagstaff Face & Body 2 Allure Aesthetics 3 Massage Envy Spa

Dentist 1 Stephanie Collins DDS 2 Around the Mountain Pediatric Dentistry 3 Flagstaff Downtown Dental

Electrician 1 Darren Lance Electric 2 Colter Electric 3 Goodman Electric

Event Planning 1 Peak Events 2 Kim Duncan Design 3 High Country Conference Center

Financial Services

1 JKC Inc. General Contractor 2 Capstone Homes 3 R & J Services

1 Kitchen Tune-Up of Flagstaff 2 JKC Inc. General Contractor 3 Cunningham Flooring/ Carpets of Dalton

Hotel Services 1 Little America Hotel 2 Drury Inn and Suites 2 Hotel Monte Vista

Insurance Company 1 State Farm 2 Allstate 3 Farmers Insurance

Interior Design 1 Herron Interior Design 2 Affinity Decorators 3 Hailey Ingols

Landscape Company 1 Morning Dew Landscaping Inc 2 Warner’s Nursery and Landscaping 3 Agassiz Landscape Group

1 Spots Carpet Care 2 Mammoth Restoration 3 Carpet Magic

1 Edward Jones 2 Wallick & Volk 3 One AZ Credit Union

Catering

Fitness/Gym Club

1 Simply Delicious (Cafe Daily Fare) 2 Satchmo’s/Roux 66 3 Bigfoot BBQ

Mani/Pedi

1 High Altitude Personal Training 2 Flagstaff Athletic Club 3 Orange Theory Fitness

1 Unique Salon 2 Spatique Day Spa 3 The Parlor Salon

Chiropractor 1 Munderloh Chiropractic 2 Moseng Chiropractic 3 Wilken’s Sport Chiropractic 40 Best of Flag

Hair Salon 1 Gossip Girl Salon 2 Salon Bloom 3 Shear Bella Salon

Martial Arts Training 1 Maximum Martial Arts 2 Sacred Mountain Fight and Healing 3 Flagstaff Krav Maga

Massage Retail

Propane

1 Massage Envy Spa 2 Bodies in Balance Massage Therapy 3 Flagstaff Face & Body

1 Superior Propane 2 John Graves Propane 3 Orion

Mortgage Company 1 PrimeLending 2 Wallick & Volk Mortgage 3 Academy Mortgage Corporation

Oil Change

Property Management 1 Coldwell Banker Dallas Real Estate 2 Independence Capital Property Management 3 West USA Realty Flagstaff

Property Management

1 Heath’s Auto Service, Inc. 2 Planet Chrysler Dodge 3 Jiffy Lube

1 Mammoth Restoration 2 Bio-One Flagstaff 3 Superior Restoration

Painting

Real Estate Agency/ Company

1 Major League Painting 2 Heber Pro Painting LLC 3 CertaPro Painter of Northern Arizona

Personal Trainer 1 High Altitude Personal Training 2 New Roots Personal Training 3 Build Your Own Body

Pet Adoption 1 High Country Humane 2 Coconino Humane Association 3 Ark Cat Sanctuary

Pet Boarding 1 Kingsmark Kennels 2 Cinder Hills Kennels 3 Canyon Pet Hospital

Pet Grooming 1 Dorothy’s K9 2 Kingsmark Kennels 3 Cindy Wallace

Photographer 1 Randi Pond Photography 2 Hannah Rose Photography 3 Grace Marie Studios

Plumbing

1 Coldwell Banker Dallas Real Estate 2 Elevation Home Sales Team 3 West USA Realty

Roofing 1 BEHMER Roofing Co. 2 Big Sky Roofing 3 Ideal Roofing Co. LLC

Storage Facilities 1 Woodlands Village Self Storage 2 Armour Self Storage 3 Aspen Mini Storage

Tanning Salon 1 Tanning Time 2 Northern Arizona Glam Squad 3 Angie’s Hair and Nails

Tattoo Parlor 1 Avail Tattoo Parlor 2 Mirror Gallery 3 Burly Fish Tattoo

Travel Agency 1 Avenues of the World 2 A Different View Tours 3 Journeys Around the World

Veterinary Services

1 T.C.R. Rooter & Plumbing 2 Harper’s Plumbing 3 Your Plumber

1 Canyon Pet Hospital 2 Westside Veterinary Clinic 3 Aspen Veterinary Clinic

Print Shop

Yoga Studio

1 Overdrive Media & Printing Services 2 AEC Reprographics 3 Five Star Printing

1 The Yoga Experience 2 ESenEM Yoga 3 Northern Arizona Yoga Center

SHOPPING

Dec. 8, 2019

41

Serving Flagstaff’s

running community

JAKE BACON PHOTOS, ARIZONA DAILY SUN

Run Flagstaff | 204 E. Route 66 | By Sam McManis

If it seems as though Run Flagstaff, the city’s only true run-specialty store, has morphed into something of a business-cum-community-resource hub, well, that’s part of what makes the shop so special.

There is Team Run Flagstaff, the training group. There is Kids Run Flagstaff, the youth offshoot that promotes healthy lifestyles and physical activity.

There is the annual Fourth of July Mile, the city’s largest running event. And there is Run Flagstaff ’s top ancillary business, Run Flagstaff Timing and Events Management, which times races throughout the region.

42 Best of Flag

Yes, there is all that. But, at its core (or sole, you might say), Run Flagstaff remains a running shoe retailer. A good one, too, as evidenced by its win in Best of Flag 2019 for

shoe stores.

Owners Vince and Sarah Sherry have never lost sight of Run Flagstaff ’s main purpose.

In fact, it’s right there in its name: run. People like to run

here. They need shoes in which to make that possible.

Run Flagstaff fills that need with an array of brands and styles, everything from racing flats for speedy road runners to well-cushioned and supported models for casual joggers; from minimalist trail running shoes for those cruising on the FUTS or the foothills to big-lugged trail shoes for traversing the mountainous terrain higher up.

Customers here value that diversity of options, and Vince Sherry said he and his staff make sure to always listen to their customers. Why? Because many are probably just as knowledgeable as the workers.

“Usually, in run specialty,

The Best Shoe Store 1. Run Flagstaff 2. Shoes & Such Boutique 3. Dillard’s

you’re in a position to educate someone who walks in,” Sherry said. “But our consumers are extremely well educated for the most part. They can find whatever they wanted anywhere. Being small and nimble has been a plus. We have the ability to shift our inventory very fast. We’re lucky because we are well-connected, so if something is coming into the industry, we usually have a heads-up very early on.

Please see RUNNING, Page 44

Owners Sarah and Vince Sherry with their sixteen-month-old son Norman, left, and Nick Hilton and Shelly Breunig stand in the Run Flagstaff store on East Route 66.

Dec. 8, 2019

43

Running From Page 43

“The founders of Hoka [One One] have been in the store.

That’s extremely rare for a store our size. The vice president of product development for Under Armor was in here last week. That doesn’t happen other places. Our customer base wants to try the latest and people tend to experiment with things for performance or to get a bit of an edge on the trails or for injury prevention.

It’s important to be flexible and carry what your customer wants.”

Though Hoka One One has a huge presence in town due to its elite racing team — and Under Armor is forming a team here, as well — Sherry said Run Flagstaff plays no favor-

BEN SHANAHAN, ARIZONA DAILY SUN‌

ites when it comes to stocking shoe brands. On the shelves are eight brands of shoes, from the big ones (Nike) to specialty brands (Altra, for trail runners).

Sherry calls stocking a diverse lineup “one of our core

Thank You Flagstaff for Voting oting Us

Best Clothing Boutique 2019!

principles.” That means occasionally incurring the wrath of costumers. Exhibit A is Nike, the shoe behemoth that always seems to cater controversy.

“We have people that come in all the time and say, ‘I want

to buy Nike; they stand behind [Colin] Kaepernick,’” he said. “Or someone will come in an hour later and say, ‘Don’t put me in a Nike, they just reupped that Kaepernick guy.’ Or they support Alberto [Salazar, elite running coach recently banned by the international anti-doping body] or don’t support Alberto. Or when Nike, renewed [football player convicted in a dog-fighting operation] Michael Vick’s contract, that was not a popular move in Flagstaff.

“But as long as I think Nike is doing good things for the sport from a performance perspective, as long as they’re trying to do some positive, we try to be as unbiased as possible and offer selections.”

This much seems certain: Run Flagstaff continues to do well by doing good.

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hile the owners of Flagstaff Custom Window Coverings said they were “super excited” to see their fourth consecutive Best of Flag win, the first one came as a surprise.

Bruce King and Paula Walker, who have owned and operated the business for 17 years, said they had completely forgotten about Best of Flag when they got the call from their sales Please see WINDOWS, Page 48

JAKE BACON, ARIZONA DAILY SUN‌

Paula Walker and Bruce King, co-owners of Flagstaff Custom Window Coverings, stand in the business salesroom.

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Nearing 40 years and

still shining

Frederick Fisher Jewelers | 4650 N. Highway 89 | By MacKenzie Chase

A

t Frederick Fisher Jewelers in the Flagstaff Mall, family is what keeps everything moving smoothly.

“My husband [Tim] and I opened the store in 1980, and then [my son] Ryan has worked here since he was 12 years old,” Lisa Terhaar said.

While Tim has since retired, the business has remained in the family with Ryan now working as store manager. Lisa said she has enjoyed seeing familiar faces over the years.

“Our friends’ kids are now coming in and buying engagement rings,” she said. “It’s just such a fun thing to see, really.

It’s just delightful.”

Retail work has its ups and downs, but Ryan, a graduate of 46 Best of Flag

The Best Jewelry Store 1. Frederick Fisher Jewelers 2. Jeff Karl Jewelers 3. Gold Wolff Jewelers Northern Arizona University’s business school, has carried on the family business with enthusiasm, connecting with customers as they come in to help them find exactly what they’re looking for.

“Every day you open up the gate, you kind of don’t know what’s going to happen,” Ryan said. “You might have a $20,000 sale, might have a $10 sale for the day, you know.”

Frederick Fisher Jewelers has been located in the mall

since day one, expanding from 850 to 1,300 square foot after the bookstore next door closed. The selection of jewelry is varied, from natural gemstones and sterling silver pieces to bridal rings, watches and everything in between on display in brightly lit display cases.

“We physically have vendors come in and then we go to the gem shows and the Las Vegas jewelry show, which is one of the biggest jewelry shows in the world,” Lisa said. “We buy that way and then we do a lot of custom stuff, too. We buy Please see JEWELRY, Page 48

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Jewelry From 46

loose stones and literally create homes for them. That’s always fun to see who gets them, probably the best part.”

Frederick Fisher Jewelers is also a full-service jewelry store, completing repairs and resizes in-store along with appraisals.

“A lot of stores got away from that because it takes people off the floor, but we still are very involved in doing all the personal stuff that we can for people,” Lisa said.

That personal connection extends beyond the sales floor as well, with the store contributing gift certificates and donating unique pieces for raffles, participating in as many local fundraisers as possible.

“Turquoise Ball, American Cancer Society, Big Brothers Big Sisters, all the hospital events,” Ryan listed off. “We pretty much donate to anything.”

“The beautiful thing about

Flag is it’s a small community and I think that makes a big difference,” Lisa added.

Frederick Fisher Jewelers regularly took first place in Best of Flag voting dating back to the early ‘90s and aughts, and they’re proud to come back out on top this year.

“It shows our customers came out and supported us, and it feels fantastic,” Ryan said.

Windows

The Best

From 45

Window Treatments

representative who told them they had won.

“And we were like, ‘Oh, I forgot about that,’” Walker said.

“But then you’re like, ‘Now we got to win it next year. Defend the title.’”

And King said he believes the reason they have won four years in a row, what has set them apart from other businesses, is their attention to detail.

“And just doing everything we can to make people happy,” Walker said.

Through that work, they said they have earned the loyalty of customers over their 17 years in Flagstaff.

1. Flagstaff Custom Window Coverings

48 Best of Flag

2. Budget Blinds 3. Home Depot “We’ve worked with customers over the years to where they had babies and now they’re driving, so it’s kind of fun to watch the family change,” King said.

And families will come back to them over and over again, Walker said. For the most part, they only work in northern Arizona from Williams to Winslow, but they have had previous customers ask them to install blinds

on homes they own in the Valley.

“That’s the only time we work in the Valley, for people who we’ve already done work for up here,” Walker said, adding it shows the trust they have built with customers.

And today, Walker said more and more people are coming back to them hoping to use blinds to make their homes more energy efficient and sustainable: using blinds to let in or block sunlight, and as an additional layer of insulation on windows.

Using blinds as a tool to help heat and cool homes can be especially important in Flagstaff where most homes don’t have air conditioning.

“It makes a big difference to

keep your home cooler in the summer, plus keeping it warmer in the winter. Keeping your bills down and not wasting energy out the window,” Walker said.

The other trend they see is people interested in ‘smart blinds,’ which can be controlled remotely or set up to raise and lower on a schedule.

Someone might want their blinds to follow the sunset and sunrise or want the shades on the west side of the house to lower before other shades to prevent the setting sun from being a nuisance.

And it’s those products and the service they provide that Walker said hopes win them their fifth Best of Flag certificate next year.

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49

JAKE BACON PHOTOS, ARIZONA DAILY SUN‌

Kelly Tulloss stands in the prep area of her flower shop, Sutcliffe Floral. The business is celebrating 75 years of being a Flagstaff staple.

17 N. San Francisco St., • FlagstaffArtistsGallery.com

FLORALS for any occasion Sutcliffe Floral | 111 N. Beaver St. |

By Gabriel Granillo

‌Y

ou can order just about anything online: pizza, new shoes, readymade meals, books and more.

One thing you shouldn’t order online: flowers. Sure, you could try one of those wire-service deals, but when it comes down it, “It’s just highway robbery in my opinion,” Kelly Tulloss, owner of Sutcliffe Floral, said.

Tulloss would rather customers come in to Sutcliffe, sit down with its highly trained florists

50 Best of Flag

The Best Florist 1. Sutcliffe Floral 2. Viola’s Flower Garden 3. Safeway and work collaboratively to decorate a bouquet that fits their need for any occasion.

Tulloss said her favorite occasions for which to arrange a bouquet are anniversaries.

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Dozens of floral arrangements ready for delivery fill the refrigerator at Sutcliffe Floral ahead a busy Valentine’s Day. “Oh, I just love anniversaries. I love talking to people who come in, who have been married for so many years and they just want to make it special,� Tulloss said.

It is this dedication to customer service and high-quality flowers that has once again garnered Sutcliffe Floral the Best Floral honor in the annual Best of Flag.

For 75 years, Sutcliffe’s flowers have been worn as crowns by brides and bridesmaids in Flagstaff weddings, have been placed bedside in vases for Flagstaff births, have been handed in wrapped bouquets to Flagstaff graduates and have donned the deceased with ornate casket sprays for Flagstaff funerals.

When talking about what keeps customers coming back after seven decades of business, Tulloss is quick to point out her staff. “I’d say our customer service has been so important. Some of

our longest standing customers keep returning because they want to work with our florists,�

Tulloss said.

When it comes to crafting a special bouquet for a special day, Tulloss said first and foremost, you need fresh flowers. “That is key. If you don’t have nice, fresh quality, [your bouquet is] not going to be any good. We sometimes get three trucks in a week. We buy from all around the world. Our designers are trained and are very good at what they do,� she said. “It’s a very artistic process, and it is an art form for sure.�

So next time you’re in the market for flowers, skip the grocery store and stay away from wire services. Instead, support a decades-old local business. “We’re so thankful to still be in business and be supported by this community, and serve our little town of Flagstaff,�

Tulloss said.

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SHOPPING WINNERS Antique Shopping

Florist

1 Flagstaff General Store 2 Cedar Closet Thrift Shop 3 The Barn Bros—Estate Liquidation and Sales

1 Sutcliffe Floral 2 Viola’s Flower Garden 3 Safeway

Artist Gallery—Retail 1 Artists’ Gallery 2 Artists’ Coalition 3 Museum of Northern Arizona

Auto Dealer 1 Findlay Toyota 2 Flagstaff Nissan Subaru 3 Findlay Honda

Bicycle Retailers 1 Absolute Bikes 2 Flag Bike Revolution 3 Single Track Bikes

Bookstore 1 Bookman’s 2 Bright Side Bookshop 3 Barnes & Noble

Clothing Boutique 1 Shoes & Such Boutique 2 Basement Marketplace 3 Sage Brush Trading Co

Convenience Store 1 Majestic Marketplace 2 Maverik 3 Hoot Mart

Craft, Hobby, Fabric & Sew Store 1 Michaels 2 Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft Store 3 Flagstaff General Store

Department Store 1 Dillard’s 2 Kohl’s 3 Basement Marketplace

Floor Covering Retailers 1 Cunningham Flooring/Carpets of Dalton 2 Double J Flooring 3 Highlands Floor Coverings 52 Best of Flag

Framing Shop 1 Michael’s 2 Hidden Light LLC/The Framing Department 3 Aficionado Framing

Furniture Store 1 Furniture Barn 2 Designs West Home Furnishings 3 The Lite Company

Gift Shop 1 Flagstaff General Store 2 Majestic Marketplace 3 P.J. Chilcottage

Home Accessories 1 Flagstaff General Store 2 Cost Plus World Market 3 PJ Chilcottage

Home Improvement Store 1 HomCo Lumber & Hardware 2 Home Depot 3 Cunningham Flooring/Carpets of Dalton

Hunting Outfitter 1 Bull Basin Archery 2 Sportsman’s Warehouse 3 Timberline Firearms & Training

Jewelry Store 1 Frederick Fisher Jewelers 2 Jeff Karl Jewelers 3 Gold Wolff Jewelers

Mattress Store 1 Mattress Center 2 Mattress Firm 3 Furniture Barn

Motorcycles & Motorsports 1 Go AZ Motorcycles 2 Grand Canyon Harley Davidson 3 Mike’s Bikes Motorcycle Repair

Musical Instrument/ Accessory Store

Retail Beer Selection 1 Majestic Marketplace 2 Beaver Street Liquor 3 Grand Canyon Spirits

Retail Liquor Selection 1 Majestic Marketplace 2 Beaver Street Liquor 3 Safeway

1 Arizona Music Pro 2 Bookman’s 3 Custom Sounds Instruments

Retail Wine Selection

Native American Jewelry Store

1 Majestic Marketplace 2 FLG Terroir 3 Safeway

1 Winter Sun Trading Company 2 Museum of Northern Arizona 3 Crystal Magic (tie) 3 Puchteca Indian Goods

Office Supply 1 Staples 2 Office Max 3 Quality Connections, Inc.

Outdoor Shop 1 Peace Surplus 2 R.E.I 3 Bull Basin Archery

Pet Supply 1 Olsen’s Feed & Grain 2 Petsmart 3 Petco

Pharmacy

Shoe Store 1 Run Flagstaff 2 Shoes & Such Boutique 3 Dillard’s

Skin Care 1 Flagstaff Face & Body Spa 2 Allure Aesthetics Az 3 Winter Sun Trading Company

Smoke/ Vape Shop 1 Rebel Smoke Shop 2 Cloud Slingers 2 Mr. Smokes

Sporting Goods Store 1 REI 2 Bull Basin Archery 3 Sportsmans Warehouse

1 Walgreens 2 Mortar and Pestle Compounding Pharmacy 3 Safeway

Thrift Store

Place to find Cheap Gas

Tire Shop

1 Sam’s Club 2 Maverick’s 3 Fry’s Food Store (tie) 3 Speedi Gas & Car Wash

1 Savers 2 Cedar Closet 3 Goodwill

1 Discount Tire 2 Findlay Toyota 3 Anderson General Tire (tie) 3 BIG O TIRES

Plant Nursery

Western Wear Store

1 Proper Meats & Provisions 2 Randall’s Fine Meats 3 Sprouts

1 Warner’s Nursery and Landscape 2 Viola’s Flower Garden 3 Forestdale Farm

1 Cal-Ranch 2 Boot Barn 3 Sportsmans Warehouse

Medical Dispensary

Produce Department

1 Greenhouse 2 High Mountain Health 3 Greenpharms

1 Sprouts 2 Fry’s Food Store 3 Flagstaff Farmers Market

Meat Department

Window Treatments 1 Flagstaff Custom Window Coverings 2 Budget Blinds 3 Home Depot

FAVORITES

Dec. 8, 2019

53

Familial connections provide

SYNERGY for local favorite Black Lemon | By Svea Conrad ‌ ll members of alternative A folk band Black Lemon consider one another family.

Band members Karly Gilbert (bass/vocals), Destiny Diaz (vocals), Robert Diaz (guitar and vocals) and Ramon “Ray” Diaz (percussion) all grew up in Flagstaff or towns nearby.

They’ve lived here permanently for a while now, steadily gath54 Best of Flag

ering a regular fan base. But the audience members who shout every lyric to Black Lemon’s most popular songs are a far cry from the small stage corners in which Robert and Destiny used to play covers—just the two of them.

Nowadays, Destiny and Robert are married, with 1-yearold son Noah in the mix and

Ray, Robert’s father, the proud grandfather. Black Lemon has seen a lot of change but it’s those familial bonds, whether blood or chosen, that breathed life into their debut album, Altitude, which the band released earlier this year.

The release, a 12-track record with a surprise EP made up of six cover songs, is a testament

to the progress Black Lemon members have made as musicians. It is also the fruit of a solid three years of labor, culminating in their classic folksymeets-rock ‘n’ roll sound.

“Oh man, it took us so long to record this album,” Ray said.

Ray joined the band at first on a temporary basis before deciding to stay on as the permanent

drummer once he realized the synergy within the band. Gilbert came to Black Lemon initially hoping to play guitar, but the three-piece was in need of a bassist.

“I approached them at a Hops on Birch show and said, ‘I’m going to be in your band,’” Gilbert said.

“She didn’t give us much choice,” Robert added.

Bass was the instrumental gap that needed filling, and Gilbert learned it within a matter of weeks. She soon began helping with songwriting too. Many of the band members’ favorite tracks, including “Loveblind” and “Runnin’ Around,” are her creations.

“It’s like nothing else,” Ray said of the band. “It’s magic.

We can just look at each other and know what the other person will do next.”

Robert is part of a long legacy of Flagstaff musicians, something that feeds into the dynamic and sound of Black Lemon. Ray’s father, Robert’s grandfather, played in a Mexican party band called Los Rivales, so popular they were “booked solid basically 10 years straight,” Ray said. Ray and his brother ended up playing in Los Rivales, too, sharing the stage with their dad. It was the mid1970s and 40 years later Ray

is playing music with his own son, following in the footsteps of a family that has been in town longer than he can remember.

The knowledge of, and connection to, Flagstaff runs deep with Black Lemon—that much is clear in songs like “Altitude (7,000-Foot Song),” which is a rumination of and an ode to home. It’s safely the band’s most famous and well-known track (a close second behind upbeat and funky “Lemons”) and one they often play twice in one show. But no one expected it to become as well-loved as it is.

“I actually always thought it would be too cheesy to write about your hometown,” Robert said. “But I think we all really have come to love it.”

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55

Duane Koyawena holds his painting of Hopi katsina, Angaktsina, a rain messenger, who appears over the San Francisco Peaks aglow with fire.

LARRY HENDRICKS, COURTESY

Discipline, confidence and support Duane Koyawena | By Svea Conrad

H

opi artist Duane Koyawena remembers the way his father painted horses: The tail always came first, then he’d move the paintbrush up and over until the body was complete, and head and snout were always saved for last.

Koyawena learned to paint from his father, Lloyd Koyawena. When he was young, he loved asking his father to commit to paper or canvas various creations and watch carefully as he obliged; Koyawena learned from observing.

His art today is one of bold 56 Best of Flag

colors, strong lines, great detail and reverence for Hopi life. But he would end up taking a long break from art between his boyhood and now as a years-long battle with drug and alcohol addiction consumed Koyawena’s life.

He’s been sober for 11 years now, a journey he compares to painting. It’s something that takes discipline and confidence and a support network— all things he sees as integral to art making, too. The connection is one he makes in a series of public talks he gives, which he dubbed “Parallels.”

The Best Local Artist (Fine Art or Performance Art) 1. Duane Koyawena 2. Shonto Begay 3. Tow’rs Humility, opening oneself up to be teachable and believing in oneself are each traits Koyawena references in this series.

“For me as an artist, I didn’t think my work was capable of going anywhere when it first started, just like you don’t

think you’ll ever see one year sober. Then there’s support, support in art is very vital and in recovery; so are friends and family. Then just being humble with it and giving it away.

Being able to share as an artist what I’ve done and my technique, I think it’s the same as in sobriety. You have to be able to give [advice] and give it to other people,” Koyawena said.

Hopi culture also played a vital role in Koyawena’s sobriety, as it still does in his art. Around the time he bePlease see KOYAWENA, Page 58

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Koyawena From 56

gan confronting his addiction he also reacquainted himself with his history, asking his godfather, uncles and cousins to tell him Hopi stories.

“A lot of people told me I had talent at the beginning, but self-defeating thoughts of not believing in myself took over. When I sobered up, my mind was a little clearer and I started to really listen and I felt like as far as culture, as an artist, a Hopi artist, I wanted to know the significance of a lot of the things I paint in Hopi,” he said. “As I started realizing and understanding the direction of Hopi life…It was like an epiphany, so as I continued to paint, I started asking still more questions.”

In the last decade Koyawena’s name has been popping up more and more around Flagstaff and the Southwest.

He was one of two curators of the prequel to the Museum of Northern Arizona’s “Pivot Skateboard Deck Art” exhibit at Tat-Fu Tattoo in 2017, in which indigenous artists covered skateboards in elaborate work. An R2-D2 — constructed

by Joe Mastroianni and painted

by Koyawena — is a prominent feature in MNA’s current exhibit, The Force Is With Our People, which examines indigenous connections to Star Wars. His painting depicting a Hopi Night Dance in a Kiva — a work Koyawena spent six years painting — won second place at last year’s Hopi show at the museum. Koyawena also uses images from Hopi culture across a variety of media, including canvas shoes and snapback hats.

“Because of the beauty that Hopi culture has, I wanted to be 58 Best of Flag

CODY BASHORE, ARIZONA DAILY SUN‌

Built by Joe Mastroianni and painted by Duane Koyawena, Hopi-R2 is featured in The Force Is With Our People at the Museum of Northern Arizona. The replica droid can be remote controlled to move around and produce audio from the Star Wars films.

TOM ALEXANDER, COURTESY‌

able to share that beauty with a lot of people, with the world,” he said, also acknowledg-

ing that pieces like the Night Dance, an event non-Hopi people do not attend, can serve

as an educational tool.

As he began pursuing art, Koyawena’s goal was to have his named listed among the great Hopi artists and ones that have been important in his life such as Neil David Sr., Michael Kabotie, Dan Namingha and Fred Kabotie (Michael Kabotie’s father).

“There is a lot of gratitude and I enjoy what I do,” Koyawena said. “I do enjoy the fact that I have a growing exhibit, I enjoy the fact that this R2 is getting out there, I enjoy the reactions that I get, not out of boastfulness, but the comments and feedback and the encouragement to keep painting.”

FAVORITES WINNERS Annual Event or Festival

Local Band or Musician

1 Pickin’ in the Pines Bluegrass

1 Black Lemon 2 Arizona Hired Guns 3 Tow’rs

Festival 2 Flagstaff Blues and Brews 3 Farmers Market

Flagstaff Attraction 1 Arizona Snowbowl 2 Bearizona 3 Lowell Observatory

Live Music Venue 1 Pepsi Amphitheater at Fort Tuthill 2 Orpheum Theater 3 Green Room

Local Artist (Fine Art or Performance Art) 1 Duane Koyawena 2 Shonto Begay 3 Tow’rs

Nonprofit 1 Shadows Foundation 2 High Country Humane 3 Flagstaff Family Food Center and Food Bank

Place to go Dancing 1 Museum Club 2 Gopher Hole 3 Monte Vista Lounge

Place to Take Kids 1 Bearizona 2 Tynkertopia 3 Aquaplex

Public Agency 1 Flagstaff Public Library 2 Flagstaff Urban Trail System 3 High Country Humane

Dec. 8, 2019

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