Issuu

INSIDE THE APRIL 2022 ISSUE: Babbitt Ranches Protecting Eagles p. 3 Businesses Support Red Rock Trails p. 8 Colleen Biggs Empowers Women to Lead p. 10

Housing Market Expected to Remain Strong for Years Lack of inventory driving demand, cities seeking housing solutions

By Bonnie Stevens, FBN

rizona’s real estate market remains “ridiculously hot,” says Arizona Association of REALTORS President Gary Nelson. “We are seeing tremendous increases in home values in the last two years, increasing

about 25% year over year in localized markets and about a 12% to 13% peryear increase in median home prices.” A lack of inventory, Millennials and investors are playing a huge role in the home-buying frenzy, say the experts, especially in scenic tourism destinations.

Flagstaff, Sedona, Prescott and parts of Scottsdale are experiencing the biggest spike in the cost of homes, says Nelson, a longtime realtor and delegated-associate broker with Realty Executives in Flagstaff. He describes a typical real estate scenario like this: “A property recently listed in Flagstaff was built in 1975. It was a three bedroom, two bath, two-car garage, single level house, nicely updated, 1,740-square-

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feet. It comes on the market at $650,000. There were 11 showings and seven offers, with bidding up over $800,000.” Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Bloomtree Realty CEO Nick Malouff has similar stories. He says Hillcrest, inside Forest Trails on the west side of Prescott, was built and sold two years ago in the high $600,000s. Continued on page 43

Hybrid, Electric Vehicles Growing in Popularity By Stan Bindell, FBN

The Toyota RAV4 is the best-selling hybrid in the country featured here with Findlay Toyota Flagstaff Internet Sales Consultant Jordan Smith, Sales and Leasing Consultant Joe “Jotini” Gray and electric vehicle shoppers Ellen and Tom Grabarek. Photo by V. Ronnie Tierney, Fresh Focuses Photography

April 2022 | Issue 4 Volume 15

ith the high price of gasoline, sales for hybrid vehicles are increasing at Findlay Toyota in both Flagstaff and Prescott. Flagstaff residents Tom and Ellen Grabarek are among those making the transition from gas-powered cars. “I was hoping to buy a hybrid when I turned 70,” said Ellen. “But that wouldn’t be for another year and a half, so we decided to go ahead and get one now.”

Hydroponic Gardening Gains Ground p. 12 Students Put Construction Skills to Work p. 15 Indoor Facility Keeps Golfers in Top Form p. 17

The couple purchased the 2022 Toyota RAV4 hybrid SUV, which Findlay Toyota Flagstaff Sales and Leasing Consultant Joe “Jotini” Gray says is the country’s best-seller. “It’s a great combination of all-wheel drive and mileage and has been incredibly popular everywhere. It’s a very versatile car, especially in the snow and on Forest Service roads, so it’s perfect for Flagstaff. The Toyota RAV4 Hybrid crosses every demographic, including young families, and there’s even room for Continued on page 36

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A wildlife camera on Babbitt Ranches captures a golden eagle near a deer carcass placed in its territory by researchers studying the large raptors. Courtesy photo

SP Crater Closed to Recreationists through May to Protect Nesting Golden Eagles Babbitt Ranches hopes conservation model can be replicated elsewhere

By Bonnie Stevens, FBN

two-mile area around SP Crater, known as the SP Crater Golden Eagle Conservation Complex (SPEC), currently is off limits to recreationists including hunters, hikers and UTV-ers in an effort to protect golden eagle nests. Babbitt Ranches, in collaboration with the Arizona Game and Fish Department, has announced special rules in effect for the Complex on the CO Bar Ranch. Under the special rules, lead ammunition is strictly forbidden, no target shooting is allowed and no hunting, trapping or other method of taking small game animals is allowed. The SP Crater Golden Eagle Conservation Complex was created in 2021, following unique conservation stewardship agreements with the Arizona Game and Fish Department, the Arizona State Land Department and the Landsward Foundation, overseeing the Complex. “With the growing number of outdoor recreationists in Northern Arizona, along with a concern that golden eagle populations may be declining range-wide, the SP Crater Golden Eagle Conservation Complex is designed to keep nesting areas quiet and safe to promote the survival rate of the young and serve as a national model for the protection and sustainability of golden eagle populations,” said Babbitt Ranches President Billy Cordasco, on behalf of the Babbitt Ranches Community. “Golden Eagles are typically a wilderness species that don’t take well to human activity in and around their nesting territories,” said Arizona Game and Fish Department Raptor Program Coordinator Kenneth “Tuk” Jacobson. “They will abandon eggs if they feel threatened, and it doesn’t take long when eagles are off the nest, especially with cold weather, for the eggs to die. Also, for hatchlings, it takes about three to four

weeks before they have their down to help them thermoregulate. If the parent eagles leave the nest when the eaglets are young, they are extremely vulnerable to the elements and predators, like ravens, that will snatch them up in a heartbeat.” Jacobson says golden eagles don’t lay eggs every year. A recent study by the Arizona Game and Fish Department found that golden eagle pairs, on average, produce one nestling every two years. Cordasco says the SP Crater Golden Eagle Conservation Complex is being tested as a proof of concept to provide protection for golden eagles beyond Northern Arizona. “If we can manage human activity on the landscape during critical times and promote non-lead ammunition use, we may be able to minimize threats to eagles and improve their production rate and survivability.” Cordasco says years of research and educational efforts spearheaded by The Peregrine Fund’s CEO and President Chris Parish paved the way for the Babbitts and other landowners to manage the use of lead ammunition on their property, supported by the Arizona Game and Fish Department. Through his work with the endangered California condor, research revealed that lead from bullets in the remains of animals left on the landscape and eaten by scavengers, could result in a lethal amount of lead poisoning in birds of prey. “Our goal is to provide adequate information so folks can make informed decisions, whether choosing the type of ammunition used or engaging in educational campaigns for decreased lead use for wildlife,” said Parish. “We’re not telling people how to manage their land or how to manage hunters, we’re trying to get the scientific information out there so people are more informed.” Parish co-founded the North American NonLead Partnership, an organization with members like Babbitt Ranches, supported by hunters. “We promote voluntary incentive-based actions and have found that when hunters know what the Continued on page 36

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Fitness classes moved outdoors during the pandemic may stay outside. Photo courtesy of Cierra Winters

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he COVID-19 pandemic has been a challenging time for Flagstaff’s gyms, but at least three Flagstaff businesses are very positive about the outlook for the future, forecasting an exciting and re-energized time ahead for the fitness industry. The combination of closure, then re-opening with restrictions, took a big toll, said Brian Schmitz. A partner in Summit Health and Fitness since 2009, Schmitz took over as manager a year and a half ago. He says the facility was pleased with how it was doing prior to the pandemic. Back then, their biggest challenge was competition for members from larger gym chains arriving in town. Schmitz says that was nothing compared to the COVID challenges. When all gyms were closed by state mandate for four months, Schmitz says Summit’s membership fell by 35-40%. As the pandemic impact has calmed, Summit is now back to offering 40 group fitness classes a week and it’s been the older clientele who have been most anxious to return to the gym. The Silver fitness classes in particular are seeing great turnouts, lured by the fun of resuming social interactions when working out, according to Schmitz. And although revenues are still down about 15% compared to pre-pandemic times, Schmitz says Summit is introducing more health-related elements into the facility, including a partnership with Northern Arizona Healthcare to host a quarterly “Talk with a Doc” speaker event. At Flagstaff Athletic Club (FAC), where membership is month-to-month rather than an annual contract, about half of the clients either canceled their memberships or put them on hold, says general manager Carla Caslin. To try to retain business, FAC set up a remote learning center for kids and once the closure

mandate was lifted, allowed parents to bring their kids to the gym to do activities while they worked out. They opened their outdoor pool on the west side six weeks earlier than usual, as well as offered some group fitness classes outdoors. Now, membership is almost back to pre-pandemic levels and Caslin says the percentage of members using their facilities regularly is actually higher than pre-pandemic times, in part because people value gym access more now. It’s been a very different pandemic trajectory for Cierra Winters and her partner Florian Dotti, owners of The Spin Box. They’d been planning their new indoor cycling studio for two years and were about to sign the contract on studio space when COVID struck. After a few weeks stuck at home, the inventive couple decided to buy a truck, trailer and stationary bikes to conduct classes outside in local parks. Working closely City of Flagstaff Councilmember Adam Shimoni, they were able to obtain a special use permit to get started on Sept. 12, 2020. Winters says the venture was a success and they’ve added more classes and coaches. The outdoor classes run year-round now, with an average class size of 10, and up to 16 on weekends. In colder months, clients bundle up, some even start the workout in ski pants until they get warmed up. Winters says they’ve had some glorious sunny, 65-degree days with walls of piled up snow around them and everyone in tank tops. The Spin Box also offers fitness birthday and bachelorette parties, as well as business team building. By the end of the year, Winters says they hope to open an indoor space too, although they’ll definitely be continuing their outdoor classes. FBN

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Fans, Tourism Officials, Stadium Organizers Spring into Spring Training Baseball is a heavy hitter for tourism statewide

By Kevin Schindler, FBN

or some, the arrival of spring is marked by budding trees, blooming flowers, singing birds and peeping peepers. For others, springtime means perfectly manicured carpets of grass, the aroma of hot dogs on the grill and the crack of a bat as it strikes a 5-ounce sphere covered in cowhide. For these people, known as baseball fans, spring arrived late this year because of a work lockout instigated by owners of the 30 Major League Baseball teams. The fans rejoiced when play finally resumed, but so did the tourism industry in Arizona, where half of the 30 MLB teams train in preparation for the regular season. Ordinarily, barring a pandemic or lockout, the Cactus League results in a two-month influx of fans from around the country, anxious to shake off the frosty dormancy of winter. Typical yearly attendance has been in the 1.7 to 1.9 million range for many years. About 60% of these attendees

are from outside of Arizona, according to Andy Bagnato of Bagnato Pflipsen Communications - the Cactus League’s PR firm. This year, spring training was shortened. Major League Baseball and the MLB Players Association didn’t reach a collective bargaining agreement until March 10. Nonetheless, fans and towns cheered as “Play ball!” echoed through stadiums. In 2020, the L. William Seidman Research Institute at Arizona State University’s W.P. Carey School of Business released a study about the economic impact of the Cactus League on Arizona. The last preCOVID year analyzed in the report was 2018, which saw an economic impact to Arizona of $644.2 million. Of the out-of-state visitors that come for the Cactus League, 27% visited other parts of the state during their stay in 2018. More than 37% of these people visited Northern Arizona (Flagstaff, Grand Canyon, Monument Valley), and nearly 40% visited North Central Arizona (Sedona, Prescott).

Fans were thrilled to return to the stadiums, like this one in Goodyear, where the Cleveland Guardians played the San Diego Padres. Photo by Kevin Schindler

“ASU’s research makes it evident that while the Cactus League might be the reason people come to Arizona, there are other things they do while they are here, and it’s clear that Northern Arizona is high on that list,” said Bagnato. “National and state parks are always popular destinations, as are

museums and night sky observing opportunities,” said Arizona Office of Tourism Director of Communications and Public Information Officer Josh Coddington. “And day trips, like Flagstaff and the Verde Valley, are always popular.” In Northern Arizona, that means places like the Grand Canyon and other national parks, the

red rocks of Sedona, Lowell Observatory and Sharlot Hall Museum. State tourism officials respond to this impact by creating marketing strategies that build awareness about destinations. AOT begins its spring training marketing the previous November, when travelers begin Continued on page 38

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Reinforcing the Path to Trail Preservation Five-year initiative to continue Sedona Trail Keepers program

By Betsey Bruner, FBN

t’s often said that the journey is as rewarding as the destination. Such may well be the case for visitors using the more than 400 miles of world-famous red rock trails in the Sedona Red Rock District of the Coconino National Forest. Sedona trails serve about three million people each year. As the gateway to Red Rock Country, the trail system is designed to educate and thrill travelers by providing an outdoors experience and information about the vegetation, geology, wildlife and cultural traditions. Maintaining Sedona’s trails is no small task, with an estimated cost of $400,000 annually. In 2016, the Sedona Trail Keepers was founded as a way to supplement the Forest Service budget by raising donations to preserve, maintain and make safe trails in and around Sedona and the Village of Oak Creek. The program is a local partnership between the Sedona Chamber of Commerce and Tourism Bureau,

private sponsors, the Sedona Red Rock Trail Fund, the Forest Service and the City of Sedona. Participating businesses donate $1,000 each to the Sedona Red Rock Trail Fund (SRRTF). “We’re very, very lucky to work in such a wonderful place like Sedona,” said District Ranger Amy Tinderholt. “It’s one of the most highly visited places in the country. It’s really critical to the economy and to all of us to support the maintenance of trails. We have so many trails, so many dropdead gorgeous views.” Tinderholt addressed the gathering for the Sedona Trail Keepers Donation Event on March 10 at the Uptown Visitor Information Center. She accepted a check for $102,000 made out to the Sedona Red Rock Trail Fund. The check represented donations for the first phase of the Trail Keepers 2.0 program, which follows the highly successful Trail Keepers program that concluded in February 2021 and brought in $370,000 in five years. In addition, the Chamber and Tourism Bureau matched the donations up to $50,000 with bed tax dollars allocated under the Chamber’s tourism management contract with the City of Sedona.

Sedona Red Rock District Ranger Amy Tinderholt, Sedona Red Rock Trail Fund President Kevin Adams, Sedona Mayor Sandy Moriarty and Sedona Chamber of Commerce and Tourism Bureau Interim CEO Michelle Conway hold the giant check representing $102,000 in donations from Sedona Trail Keepers. Photo by Betsey Bruner

“It’s just been an incredible partnership with the Chamber,” said SRRTF President Kevin Adams in his remarks during the presentation. “This community has gotten together to make it happen.” Adams reflected on the progress of the Trail Keepers Program. “A decade ago, there was one full-year and a seasonal person to maintain

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the then-approximately 300+ miles of non-motorized trail in the Red Rock District,” he said. “Today, with over 400 miles district-wide, the crew consists of two full-year and 10 seasonal [workers], with plans to increase by two full-year [people] next season.” Adams said SRRTF had raised nearly $600,000 during fiscal year 2021, which ended Sept. 30. The

Chamber has 725 organizations that are partners. Many of them are Sedona Trail Keepers sponsors, including smaller local businesses such as Absolute Bikes located in Flagstaff and Sedona, Canyon Outfitters and Thunder Mountain Bikes, as well as larger companies such as UniSource Energy Services, Holiday Inn Express

Continued on page 40

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Business Woman FBN

of the Month

Colleen Biggs Bets on Women to Lead Entrepreneurial business coach has helped launch hundreds of small businesses

By Bonnie Stevens, FBN

olleen Biggs grew up like a lot of little girls, imagining the life she thought she was supposed to live, including a prince, a big Disney-esque wedding and a happily ever after. But with her parents’ divorce, she watched her mom’s world fall apart. For 12-year-old Colleen and her mom, life was a struggle. They survived on food stamps in rural Chandler in the 1970s. “It was interesting because it was a horse town then. People would ride their horses to grocery stores. You would smell manure all day.” She began to realize that her little-girl dream didn’t exist. Instead, life felt, looked and smelled bad to her. She decided this was not her destiny. “The whole motivation behind being who we were born to be comes from really leaning into your voice, into who you are and what makes you stand out,” she said. “We know who we are in the first four years of our life. We spend the rest of our lives trying to dig ourselves out of what others have labeled us to be.” At 35 years old, she had an epiphany. “I remember the day I made the decision that I was not going to be

what everyone else labeled me to be. I was not going to be where others believed Colleen should fit.” She was working her way up to an executive position in Corporate America. But inside, she was breaking down, unhappy with trying to fit others’ opinions about who she was at work, as a mother or even around town. “Labels were flying at me, but it only takes one kind or generous label to wash all the others away.” The company where she worked was selling raffle tickets for prizes, with proceeds benefiting a charitable organization. Employees would drop a ticket in the basket of the prize they wanted to win. Biggs wanted only one prize – lunch once a month with the CEO for a year. She desperately wanted to be mentored by this person that she so admired. She bought 100 tickets and put them all in his basket. “I didn’t win. I couldn’t believe it,” she said. “But, my CEO came over to me and said, ‘Listen, I watched you and I know how bad you wanted those lunches and I know you’re devastated. I’m so impressed that you put all your tickets in my basket. You bet on me. Now I’m going to bet on you.’” As promised, the CEO met with her and coached her. “I learned how to be a very successful human. I learned how to believe in myself

Biggs encourages women to change their environment to spark creativity and gain a fresh perspective. Her mastermind program includes retreats and new experiences. Courtesy photo

Colleen Biggs empowers women to increase their visibility, capacity and wealth. Courtesy photo

and found my uniqueness. It was the standing-out part that he was teaching me. He was preparing me for entrepreneurship. We spent a couple of years together. He still supports me as the person I am today.” As a result, she broke up with her boyfriend, bought herself a house, met her husband and combined families. “It’s been 15 years, seven kids, 12 grandchildren and the most amazing life I could ever imagine, all because I decided just to free myself of the chains that everyone else put on me. Now, life isn’t happening to me, it’s happening for me.” That “amazing” life is highly focused on improving other women’s lives as well. Biggs has been a business coach for 22 years, is the founder and CEO of The Leap Community, an organization that offers summits, workshops and retreats designed to empower women to lead, and has helped launch 340 businesses. She is an international speaker, has co-authored “The Anatomy of Accomplishment: Your Guide to Bigger, Better, Bolder Business Results,” was a contributing author to “Stop Waiting: Start Living,” and has published her own book, “Step Into the Spot-

light to Expand Your Influence and Attract the Right Clients.” She also has written two journals and created a year-long mastermind program for high-achieving women to focus on their businesses and increase their visibility, capacity and wealth. “Every single person I’ve coached is different. You need the ability to get into the map of their world to understand them first – who they are, what they need, what they are looking for – to assist and empower them for greatness.” Biggs tells the story of “Jennifer” (not her real name): “She came to me after being an entrepreneur for 20 years. She was a confident, very intuitive person who works through spirit to speak with people. But the pandemic freaked her out and she developed a scarcity mindset. She lost all her confidence, all her clients and all her money. She felt like she didn’t have her legs underneath her. When I met her, she was making $1,500 a month. In the second month we worked together, she made $10,000. Around the fourth month, she made $30,000, her highest month ever. She started a school for women who have these psychic gifts and don’t know

what to do with them. We helped her set up the school and found a way to scale the business.” Biggs and Jennifer worked together for about six months. “It comes down to the belief we have in ourselves. When you have a thought and you believe it so much to be true, every single thing you see is telling you what you believe is true. We lose this as we get older. We almost become numb to what we are conditioned to be. It takes extraordinary effort for us to become extraordinary.” Today, Biggs carries around casino chips, which she hands out to women. “You need to bet on you,” she tells them, with a nod to her former mentor. “Be around me. I will bet on you and I will be there to empower you to bet on you, too.” Biggs is the keynote speaker for the 2022 Prescott Area ATHENA Awards, scheduled for Sunday, Sept. 18 FBN Find Biggs at https://colleenbiggs.net and meet her on Zonie Living: Business, Adventure and Leadership at Dave Pratt’s Star Worldwide Networks, https://starworldwidenetworks.com.

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// COMMUNITY PROFILE // BY V. RONNIE TIERNEY, FBN

Stoney Ward Teaches Hydroponic Gardening Through Spirit of the Canyon Team-building and healthy eating are part of his curriculum

“

Changing lives one plant at a time,” is the heart and goal of Spirit of the Canyon owner Stoney Ward, who has had a vision for hydroponic gardening since moving to Grand Canyon Junction (also known as Valle) four years ago. “I want to show people, especially school children, how to be healthier and how growing healthy foods such as microgreens is tasty, inexpensive and fast,” said Ward. Ward’s vision has mushroomed into teaching 7th, 8th and 9th graders at Grand Canyon School, where students learn about several forms of hydroponics along with different systems such as microgreens and self-wicking systems with soil. “My ultimate goal is to teach students how they can grow their own food no matter where they live

and use less water than traditional farming,” said Ward. “I believe that instructing these kids about hydroponics and urban farming will help them prepare for their futures by helping them realize they can grow their own food, in their own space, especially during critical times such as climate change, pandemics, etc.” “I think it’s really interesting and I think it’s really important for the future and to help the community in many ways,” said 7th grader Ronan Alvarez, 13, “I’m eating better now and I appreciate fresh vegetables. I want to grow microgreens at home.” On the menu in Ward’s classes are sunflowers, peas and broccoli microgreens, along with several varieties of lettuce. Microgreen seeds are harvested at a very young stage and the sprouts mimic the flavor of the full-grown vegetable. “They are very nutritious,” he said. Employed as general manager of Buck Wild Hummer Tours in TusayContinued on page 41

Stoney Ward at ease at his Spirit of the Canyon ranch in Grand Canyon Junction. V. Ronnie Tierney, Fresh Focuses Photography

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Mary Colter. Courtesy of Grand Canyon National Park

Architect Mary Colter’s Legacy Captured in Stone Grand Canyon buildings continue to inspire one hundred years later

FACILIT Y ID# PENDING

By V. Ronnie Tierney, FBN

he was tough, funny, fearless, dogmatic, imaginative, and her Grand Canyon architectural marvels continue to intrigue historians and fascinate visitors, including the only inner canyon lodging facility, Phantom Ranch, which turned 100 years old this year. Meet Mary Jane Elizabeth Colter, born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, on April 4, 1869. She was 33 years old when she was hired as an interior designer and architect by the hospitality forerunner Fred Harvey Company, a contractor for Santa Fe Railway. That was in 1902. A few years later, Colter was asked to design the Hopi House, an indigenous-influenced architectural design that launched five other projects at the Grand Canyon: Lookout Studio, Bright Angel Lodge and cabins, Hermit’s Rest, Desert View Watchtower and Phantom Ranch, named after nearby Phantom Creek. She also designed the men’s dormitory at the Grand Canyon and Colter Hall, the women’s dormitory. According to the Grand Canyon National Park Website, NPS.gov, Mary Colter designed buildings that would become part of their surroundings, that “would create no discordant note against the time-eroded walls of this promontory. To obtain this result, Colter insisted that the rocks not be cut or worked… so they would not lose the weathered surfaces so essential to blend in with the Grand Canyon walls.” Flagstaff residents Allen and Carol Naille lived at the Grand Canyon for 13 years. Allen worked for Fred Harvey Company in several positions before assuming the position of general manager there, eventually moving to Flagstaff to accept his role as president of the company. In all, he worked for the company for 25 years. Carol was in charge of the Grand Canyon library. “Mary Colter was a woman in a man’s world and her characteristics made her unique,” said Carol, who had a friend whose father knew and

The Hopi House is located in the Grand Canyon South Rim Village directly across from the Historic El Tovar Hotel. Both were built in 1905. Photo by V. Ronnie Tierney, Fresh Focuses Photography

was employed with Colter. “She worked with men but was able to get her way. She stood up to men but she was tactful. She had to be. Also, at the time, Fred Harvey Company had all male managers. I believe she was an amazing person because of her talent and her ability to get along with the men she worked with. I’ve always admired her.” In a Jan. 23, 1904, article, the Minneapolis Journal referenced Colter, describing artists as people who develop themselves. “There is no necessity of seeking for art genius. When it occurs it will make itself apparent.” Though much has been documented about Colter’s design style and how she was adamant that things were done her way, little is known about her personal life. “You don’t hear many stories about her other than her work. I would like to know what drove Continued on page 42

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CCC Students Gain Experience Building While Helping Habitat for Humanity

By Larry Hendricks, FBN

ircular saws whir and cut. Nail guns go “PSHHT!” Sawdust floats in the air. Safety glasses hang firmly in place, and all conversations are yelled. “Nail it there,” bellows Carrie Oakason over the noise. She’s a student in Coconino Community College’s Construction Technology Management program and is a project leader on the construction of panels for a new “Starter Home” for Habitat for Humanity of Northern Arizona. “I feel like I’m really lucky to have found CCC,” Oakason said. “The projects are exciting and relevant and exactly what I want to do.” Instructor Ken Myers said Oakason and her classmates will be spending the semester building the panels in the shop at the Fourth Street campus before joining the builder Buzzard Construction at the site where the Starter Home will be built on the corner of O’Leary Street and Butler Avenue. He added that the partnership with HFHNA will give the students valuable training

for the real world and it will help the community address affordable housing needs with Habitat’s Starter Home idea. “When you have a single project that fills two major community needs – from an instructor’s perspective, this partnership is more valuable than gold,” Myers said. Eric Wolverton, executive director for HFHNA, said, “This is a mutually supportive partnership, with Habitat covering all the material costs and CCC providing the majority of the labor force, saving both Habitat and CCC monies and making Starter Homes even more affordable.” He added that the contractors, like Buzzard Construction, working on the homes will provide additional professional oversight during instruction to help Myers and directly recruit students for employment even before they finish their studies at CCC. Brian Buzzard, owner of Buzzard Construction, has been showing up to the class to offer his expertise to the construction of the modular parts that will be put together at the site. Buzzard is a graduate of Northern

Arizona University’s Construction Technology Management program, and he said he’s excited to be working with the CCC students on the project. He said he received a lot of help getting into the field, so he wanted to “teach it forward.” “I like what I see, so I’m going to try to be here every class,” Buzzard said. “Construction as a career field is worth it if they stick with it.” He and Myers both said that the construction industry in Coconino County is desperately in need of skilled workers. Wolverton said that while the students are learning about the importance of giving back to the communities in which they live, they are also learning about service. Myers added, “Students who come to CCC are here to learn the skills needed to get a job, to be able to have enough money to start or raise a family. When you can build something tangible that benefits your community and helps someone else achieve the same goal, that’s huge!” Oakason, who has returned to school to follow a dream, discovered

Angie Rodriguez Mark Colletti

Continued on page 38

CCC Construction Technology Management student Carrie Oakason, as project manager, keeps an eye on the other students at the Fourth Street campus construction lab. The students are building components of a home to be built as part of Habitat for Humanity of Northern Arizona’s Starter Home project. Courtesy photo

Cal McLoy Gary Nelson

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Flagstaff Business News // APRIL 2022

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Contractors Frustrated with Forest Thinning Process

By Diane Hope, FBN

en years of the Four Forests Restoration (4FRI) Phase I ends across Northern Arizona in May. After a decade of missed targets, frustration increased among local forest thinning contractors when 4FRI’s two-year Phase II Request for Proposals process was canceled last fall. “It was decided to change the approach to a blended one. Instead of awarding one big contract to a single company (NewLife Forestry), the new 4FRI Phase II will leverage funding with partner organizations and timber companies,” said Coconino National Forest Stewardship Staff Officer Amber Dorsch. With nine of Arizona’s 10 high priority fire risk areas, including around Flagstaff, located in the 4FRI footprint, a Forest Service report released last year details new information suggesting that on average, only 40% to 50% of a planning area’s acres need to be strategically treated to reduce 80% of exposure to wildfire risk. Both mechanical thinning and prescribed burning will be focused on approximately 135,000 “high priority” acres around communities most at risk. Coconino National Forest Timber

Program Manager Ben De Blois explained that 4FRI is receiving $54 million to implement this new strategy over Coconino, Kaibab, Tonto and Apache-Sitgreaves national forests overall. “Work on the Coconino will include partnerships with the Flagstaff Watershed Protection Project, City of Flagstaff and Coconino County to test new treatment innovations on 65,000 acres, including the Walker Hill area north of Flagstaff. Assessments will be made on how to optimize work on another 178,000 acres that previous projects have struggled to treat.” “Going forward, the approach will be to match the right implementation tool to the right areas,” said Dorsch. “Stewardship and service contracts will focus on areas with steeper terrain or where small biomass material needs to be removed, with the Forest Service paying contractors for that.” In the Flagstaff area, 4FRI is working with several contractors. “Companies have to bid on contracts for saleable timber,” said Coconino National Forest 4FRI Acting Public Affairs Officer Adam Livermore. However, remodeling 4FRI’s Phase II structure has made life difficult for forest contractors. Bob Lee and Sons, based in Prescott, has been thinning

DOES FOOT PAIN HAVE YOU LIVING LIFE ON A SHORT LEASH?

Logging companies compete for thinning projects around Flagstaff and other Northland communities most at risk for wildfire. Photo by Diane Hope

forests on public and private land across Northern and Central Arizona since the early 1980s. “The way Phase II is being administered has created a hardship,” said owner Dale Lee. “The acreage being offered up on timber sales currently is not enough wood for guys like me to go after. And so now we’re getting in bidding wars

for the sales that do come up,” Lee said. “Driving from Williams via I-40 down Lake Mary Road, you see thousands of acres needing treatment. I’d like to see 10,000 acres offered up in the next 60 days to address this problem. My company has enough inventory to get us through the end of this year, but after that it’s looking

DISCOMFORTING PAIN MILD PAIN NO PAIN

Y / N

If you’ve answered “yes” to any of these questions, call our office today to see how our doctors can help.

Continued on page 39

Quit playing the neuropathy pain game.

Do you wish you could walk farther with your furry friend? Are you being treated for neuropathy with no relief? It’s time to start asking questions…there is hope.

Does foot pain prevent you from doing your favorite activity? Do you have chronic pain from prior injury or foot surgery? Do you have burning or tingling in your legs or feet? Do you have leg or foot cramps with activity or at rest? Does your heel hurt when you get up or after sitting for a while?

pretty grim if things don’t change. The folks at the Forest Service that I work with day in and day out know what needs to happen, but I think staff at the regional and national level don’t understand the hands-on logistics of the situation.” Perkins Tßimber Harvesting is

EXCRUCIATING PAIN

DISTRESSING PAIN INTENSE PAIN

YES / NO

Do you have difficulty walking without taking a break? Do you have pain, numbness, or cramping in legs or feet? Is your neuropathy treatment not working? Neuropathy symptoms are very similar to those of PAD. It’s a circulation disorder which can be easily treated in our office without the need for general anesthesia. If you’ve answered “yes” to any of the questions above, call our office today to see how our doctors can help.

(928) 719-7400 cicmedical.com

(928) 719-7400 azfeet.com Dr. Diana Perry, DPM 2301 N. 4th Street, Flagstaff, AZ 86004

DR. JOEL RAINWATER, MD / DR. KEVIN DUWE, MD / DR. DIANA PERRY, DPM 2301 N. 4th Street, Flagstaff, AZ 86004

APRIL 2022 // Flagstaff Business News

@flagstaffbusinessnews

Father and son team Kyle and Steve Palmer are keeping golfers swinging, even when courses are closed. Photos by V. Ronnie Tierney, Fresh Focuses Photography

Mill Golf Offers Indoor Facility for Year-Round Practice

By V. Ronnie Tierney, FBN

inters in Flagstaff can be challenging for golfers who want to keep their swing consistent and their handicap low, as golf courses typically close between October and March. For Steve and Kyle Palmer, an epiphany they had during Christmas dinner led them to open Mill Golf, an indoor simulation golf course using state-of-the-art software. “My dad and I were discussing the dormancy of golf during the winters in Flagstaff and the challenge of practicing and keeping our game on track,” said Kyle. “A simple dinner conversation led to opening Mill Golf.” Born and raised in Flagstaff, Kyle says his customers range from avid golfers to women, families and others interested in learning the game or just wanting to hit the ball. “We try to encourage kids 5 years and up to come in and try it out. We have kids golf courses, as well as the driving range and some mini-golf courses

and virtual putt-putt courses, too.” “It’s a fun place to enjoy yourself, hit the ball and keep your swing in shape,” said Aspen Valley Golf Club Assistant Professional Ryan King. “It’s also a great fitting tool if you have new clubs and want to try them out; plus, the technology at Mill Golf gives you the ability to track your data, something that you don’t have when you’re on the course.” With more than 30,000 golf courses from which to choose, players can golf all around the world. “I’ve golfed at Pebble Beach, Arnold Palmer’s Bay Hill and Orlando, where the pros were last week,” said King. The capability of designing and customizing your own golf course is another option at Mill Golf. The golf lanes at Mill Golf can accommodate up to four players and 18 holes will take about one hour per player. Customers find the technology at Mill Golf impressive. “Golfers hit the ball off the mat into a screen. After the impact, the screen retracts

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Hayden Westling practices his swing at Mill Golf while there’s snow on the ground in Flagstaff.

Flagstaff Business News // APRIL 2022

flagstaffbusinessnews.com

// BUSINESS CENTS // BY BONNIE STEVENS

Dream Big, Sweet Girls

he searing flash of flames, the ground-shaking vibration, the deafening roar of engines – witnessing a space shuttle launch from Cape Canaveral, Florida, is not something easily forgotten, but for Lauren Edgar, it is the stuff dreams are made of. The then-second grader, who came to visit her grandmother in Florida, left her vacation with more than warmth in her heart. Little Lauren’s imagination was on fire. “That moment was pretty significant for me – the realization that there were people on board and they were leaving this planet.” Lauren began to wonder what else was out there, and thus began her own countdown to a career in space exploration. A few years later, Jessica Watkins, growing up under the starry skies of Lafayette, Colorado, decided she wouldn’t be limited by Earth’s boundaries either. “I wanted to be an astronaut since I was about 9 years old,” she said, “because of the desire to explore and an interest in planets, Mars in particular.” In the same decade that Lauren and

Jessica were born, Sally Ride was the first American woman in space. There weren’t a lot of women who had gone where these little girls wanted to go, but dreams thrive in a place where logic and doubt have no power. “By their very nature, dreams aren’t practical, and neither are they achieved by playing it safe,” writes author Marc Guss in “Instincts of a Talent Agent: Entrepreneurial Takeaways from an Industry Insider.” He says, “You are your own best risk. The time for practicality comes later, when you’re taking your first steps toward success, not when your dream is still gestating.” Lauren and Jessica both developed a passion for geology and followed similar paths through grad school. The two were guided by John Grotzinger. He was Lauren’s Ph.D. advisor and Jessica’s advisor for her postdoctoral research. And some might say the gravity of their passion for rocks and space pulled them together in Hawaii for a planetary volcanology workshop. And then, like a dream, their stars aligned again, both called to work on the Curiosity Mars rover, investigating

NASA Astronaut Jessica Watkins practiced geology in Northern Arizona with USGS Astrogeology Center Research Geologist Lauren Edgar during space mission training in 2019. Courtesy photo

ancient sedimentary environments that might have been habitable at one time.

In 2019, Jessica arrived at the rocky, moon-like terrain north of Flagstaff as one of six women who made up the

astronaut class known as the Turtles – it’s an astronaut tradition that your

Continued on page 39

Join us for our

June 18, 2022 6am-9am at Wheeler park We are back up and running in person this year and can’t wait to see our beautiful Flagstaff community come together again. Scan the QR code below for more information and to sign up. Help support your Northern Arizona Community’s only nonprofit hospice continue our 39 year mission to provide end of life care regardless of ability to pay. If you are a local Flagstaff business and would like to help sponsor this event please reach out to Kathy Simmons by calling her at 928-779-1227 or send her an email at ksimmons@northlandhospice.org

APRIL 2022 // Flagstaff Business News

@flagstaffbusinessnews

Animated Short Highlights Hope, Care at Sedona Film Festival

n animated short film from Aflac, “The Park Bench” received the Audience Award for Best Animated Short at the Sedona International Film Festival. Created by African American creators, animators, producers and agencies, with musical direction provided by Grammy award-winning artist Nas, “The Park Bench” is about family, care and hope. Through the eyes of Bella, a young girl whose father has been diagnosed with sickle cell disease, the film expresses the impact of a medical event on the family. Bella, who is scared and confused as she watches her mother care for her father in pain, finds herself alone on a park bench one day where she meets a duck with a broken wing. She brings the injured duck home, cares for it and soon it becomes a much-needed source of laughter and joy. When the family is whole again, Bella and her parents walk the duck back to the park to say goodbye, leaving him to join others flying south for the winter. Filmmakers say viewers are left with the sense that the family is stronger after surviving the tragedy and helping the father regain his strength.

“The Park Bench” Producer Carl Reed is with Lion Forge Entertainment, the only Black-owned animation studio in the United States. The illness of sickle cell disease hits home with Reed, who has relatives afflicted with the disease. “It’s invisible. You don’t know who has it, but those people are almost in constant pain. We wanted to show that day-to-day struggle and hope in those moments of hardship.” Reed began his career as a comic book artist in St. Louis, Missouri. Not finding many opportunities for his work, he moved to Los Angeles, where he fell in love with animation. “The Park Bench is a labor of love for our little tight team,” he said. “I love seeing a beautiful script, beautiful animation and characters coming to life.” In an industry with few black animators, Reed says you may have to create your own role models. “There’s a village around everyone and you have to take whatever boost you can or build inspiration for yourself.” “The Park Bench,” directed by Rob Edwards, is available to stream on Roku and can be viewed at www.ParkBenchFilm.com. FBN

Producer Carl Reed says all storytelling has the goal of triggering people’s emotions to create a lasting impression. Photo by Bonnie Stevens

Flagstaff Business News // APRIL 2022

flagstaffbusinessnews.com

Discarded Syringes: A Dangerous Byproduct of the Drug Epidemic

By Hedda Fay

avapai County has an opioid epidemic; we have for more than a decade. In 2021, the DEA singled out Yavapai County as a “hot spot” for opioid and illicit drug abuse and created an initiative called “Operation Engage” to help stop the abuse. Yavapai County is the fourth highest county in the state for overdose deaths. These deaths can happen in minutes and anywhere. Thankfully, we have a wonderful task force: PANT, MatForce, YCSO, Prescott Police Department, Prescott Valley Police Department, Mental Health Coalition, Yavapai Re-entry Project and the Overdose Death Review Task Force. These hard-working, dedicated professionals developed this partnership to prevent these deaths and stop this epidemic. There is another threat to the public, including people who do not inject drugs. It is a small and silent threat, a byproduct of the drug use epidemic: discarded or found used syringes. It is not only syringes used for illicit drugs; needles are used for steroid injection, health maintenance and cosmetic

improvements. All have a potential for pathogen sharing. Yavapai County has a lot of wideopen spaces for hiking, picnicking, biking and camping. There are hundreds of beautiful trails for us to enjoy. Every year we host annual clean-up events of these spaces for continued enjoyment and use. It is not uncommon to find discarded syringes in these shared spaces. Did you know HIV can survive in a discarded syringe for 42 days? When the temperature does not exceed 32 degrees, those germs can live longer. HIV is not the only virus that can survive in a discarded syringe. Hepatitis C, Hepatitis B, Syphilis, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, Epstein-Barr and other pathogens can survive, too. According to CDC data, healthcare workers experience 385,000 reported needlestick and sharps injuries annually. It is estimated that one in three law enforcement officers will experience a needle stick during their professional career. That is a high number for our country’s finest. There is no cure for HIV or Hepatitis B, and the cure for Hepatitis C is expensive. One such medication, Epculusa, costs

about $94,500 for a 12-week treatment. What do you do when you experience an accidental needle stick? 1. Wash the needlestick area thoroughly with soap and water (hand sanitizer is not the same). 2. Immediately seek medical treatment. N If you have the syringe and do not have a container to dispose of it in a safe manner, you put it in a can, jar or bottle and close it. You can bring it with you to meet with a healthcare provider for proper disposal. N Pay attention to where you were stuck and how deep the needle went in. Even though HIV is treatable and no longer the death sentence it once was, we still want to prevent people from becoming HIV+. There is a pharmaceutical tool today that can stop HIV in its tracks! That’s right, there are medications that will stop HIV from hijacking a person’s immune system. We’ve used these medications for years and know they are effective and safe. The tool is called PEP - Post-exposure Prophylax-

is. At Northland Cares, we keep these medications in-house in the event of an exposure. For PEP to be effective, a person needs to get these medications within 72 hours of their exposure to HIV. The sooner we can get these medications to the exposed person, the more effective they are at stopping transmission of the virus. Northland Cares has implemented an on-call weekend and holiday Emergency PEP Program. We are the first clinic in the state of Arizona to offer this service. Our trained staff members are ready to be dispatched to a hospital, clinic or secure public space to respond to a public health emergency. What happens when you call for Emergency PEP? 1. If the exposure occurs during our business hours, call one of our offices Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. For Prescott, call 928-776-4612. For Cottonwood, call 928-649-0833. 2. If the exposure happens outside of our normal business hours, contact us at our on-call weekend and holiday number, 928-9106707.

You will meet with one of our trained outreach staff members who will provide you with a new patient packet and gather information such as your name, insurance information, health history, current medications, allergies to medication classes, etc. 4. You will have an in-person or a telephonic meeting with our provider. 5. We will provide you with a oneweek regimen of PEP medications. 6. Our PrEP and PEP Navigator will follow up with you and help you obtain the remaining three weeks of medications required to stop you from becoming HIV+. 7. If you don’t have insurance, we are always able to get these medications covered. 8. We will schedule two follow-up visits to ensure the medication was effective at stopping the virus. PEP medications are taken daily for 28 days for optimum efficacy. It is critical that they are taken as prescribed. Remember, the closer to the time of Continued on page 38

Healthcare With Heart Peak Heart & Vascular is a multispecialty cardiovascular group made up of board-certified physicians recognized in the community for their quality and compassionate care. KISHLAY ANAND, MD Cardiac Electrophysiology General Cardiology

NIRAV J. MEHTA, MD Interventional Cardiology

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Appointments

Flagstaff Office

Additional Locations

office 928.888.9595 | main 602.641.9486

1501 S Yale St; Bldg 2 Ste 152

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APRIL 2022 // Flagstaff Business News

@flagstaffbusinessnews

PrEP medications are safe and effective and can help prevent you from getting infected with HIV. When someone is exposed to HIV, PrEP medications can work to keep the virus from causing infection. Taking PrEP medication can stop new HIV infections and help end the HIV epidemic.

Help25% us stop the spread of HIV in EHE Yet less than

The national goal for PrEP coverage under the (Ending the HIV Epidemic) initiative is to achieve at least 50% coverage by 2030.

of the

Yavapai County.

estimated more than

1 million Americans

who could benefit from PrEP are using this important medication.

PEP PATHWAY Less than 72 hours

YES

“Are you confident in providing complete prevention services for the patient?”

YES

Call Northland Cares.

their risk when taken daily as prescribed.

Patient is engaging in risky behavior who could benefit from PrEP

Patient wants to be prescribed PrEP

“Are you confident in providing complete prevention services for the patient?”

Are you confident in providing care and follow-up services?

dramatically reduces

PrEP PATHWAY

More than 72 hours

Can you see patient today?

PrEP use among people at risk for acquiring HIV

NO YES

Help us stop the spread of HIV in Call Northland Cares or Call PEPLine (888) 488-4911 Send RX to Walgreens in Prescott Valley

Proceed with provided care.

Proceed with provided care and RX to Walgreens in Prescott Valley.

PEP PATHWAY

PrEP PATHWAY

“Are you confident in

Can you see

Prescott: 928-776-4612 Cottonwood: 928-649-0833 Faxcomplete - 928-771-1767 providing patient today? prevention services for the patient?”

Are you confident in providing care and follow-up services?

NO YES

Call Northland Cares.

YES

Patient is engaging in risky behavior who could benefit from PrEP

“Are you confident in providing complete prevention services for the patient?”

YES Proceed with provided care.

Patient wants to be prescribed PrEP

NO Refer to Northland Cares.

Thank you Quad Cities for Call Northland Cares us Best Non Profit/ Voting Proceed with or Call PEPLine provided care and Charitable Organization! (888) 488-4911

Send RX to Walgreens in Prescott Valley

Refer patient to Northland Cares for specialty care and treatment services.

If patient cannot afford PrEP, refer to Northland Cares.

HOW MUCH DOES IT COST? If patients meet the requirements, all prescription Lesscovered. than 72However, hours the cost of necessary More than hours costs are 100% clinic72 visits and lab tests may vary based on patient income and insurance coverage.

YES

Proceed with quality care and treatment.

Yavapai County. YES

Refer to Northland Cares.

RX to Walgreens in Prescott Valley.

HOW MUCH DOES IT COST? If patients meet the requirements, all prescription costs are 100% covered. However, the cost of necessary clinic visits and lab tests may vary based on patient income and insurance coverage.

Prescott: 928-776-4612 Cottonwood: 928-649-0833 Fax - 928-771-1767

Proceed with quality care and treatment.

If patient cannot afford PrEP, refer to Northland Cares.

NO Refer patient to Northland Cares for specialty care and treatment services.

Flagstaff Business News // APRIL 2022

flagstaffbusinessnews.com

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conomic Development Week 2022 is upon us! The week of May 9-13 is a time to celebrate the efforts of many community members and partners that work to enhance economic prosperity for individuals and businesses alike; and who doesn’t like a celebration? Perhaps you wonder what economic development is anyway; after all, doesn’t the economy take care of itself? So, let us begin by answering the questions of what economic development is and how we celebrate it. Economics are known generally to be a branch of knowledge concerned with the production, consumption and transfer of wealth. Economic development is therefore a collection of efforts designed and undertaken to better the fiscal, economic and social conditions of a given geography. Economic development may then be seen as an overarching and aspirational practice that is invisible or non-existent to many, yet actually touches every aspect of society and all people who comprise that society. Economic development basics include: 1. Business Attraction, 2. Business Retention and Expansion, 3. Economic Gardening, 4. Workforce Development; all of which include and envelope every industry imaginable from tourism to materials extraction to video production and everything in between. While some of those terms appear intuitive, here is a brief description those four primary elements. 1.

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Business Attraction works to invite existing industries from one community to another community. In Flagstaff, Business Attraction efforts work to articulate our community values to business owners and decisions makers so that they may consider bringing their business and related jobs to Flagstaff. An important and difficult task, Business Attraction is a matchmaker on a very high level. When successfully done, a business owner recognizes the alignment of community and industry values, recognizes the tremendous quality of life in Flagstaff, and then decides to bring those jobs and future growth opportunities to our home. Similarly, Business Retention and Expansion efforts practice the same behaviors while focusing on the businesses that are

// Economic development may then be seen as an overarching and aspirational practice that is invisible or non-existent to many, yet actually touches every aspect of society and all people who comprise that society. //

already in our community. Such efforts are those of a resource broker who connects the businesses and business owners to tools or programs that will facilitate business growth. Sometimes, the work involves serving as a trusted partner, while other times, the work is simply about making an introduction. But the work is always about being available to the business owner, no matter what the business is. 3.

Economic Gardening is a relatively newer term that is essentially about growing your own businesses and industries from the ground up. This discipline encompasses all things related to starting a business. In Flagstaff, we are blessed with the business incubator and accelerator campus known as the Northern Arizona Center for Entrepreneurship and Technology, or NACET. Moonshot@NACET is the service provider that works with startups and entrepreneurs of all varieties to help them navigate the process of growing a business from an idea to revenue, inspiring the term Economic Gardening.

Workforce Development is the collection of efforts focused on the providing the skills to individuals so that they may work in the industry of their choosing and meet the needs of the industry. This undertaking spans early childhood services through all levels of education and leads to certifications, diplomas and other credentialing that may be considered up-skilling.

With those general definitions providing a framework, now, let’s address what celebrating may look like. Each morning from Monday, May 9 through Thursday. May 12, economic development practitioners will invite the public to join them at various locations around the community to talk about each of those four basic concepts. Since locations are still being secured, the complete schedule of events will be posted on City of Flagstaff social media and in local area publications. The community can count on economic development practitioners to be available each morning to provide case studies, discussions of past, current and future efforts, and ways that economic development was impacted by the last two years of shutdowns and fear. On Friday, May 13, economic development practitioners will convene for a happy hour to wrap up the week. We know that early mornings can be tough, so these events will occur at coffee shops and attendees will be eligible to win a gift certificate from each business. Interpret this as “free coffee” for a lucky person. These events are usually small in the number of attendees and big on dialogue, so please feel free to join our informal gatherings. Consider what economic development is to you. Bring your questions, your enthusiasm and your ideas. We would love to see you. A full schedule of events including locations, times and days will be available via City of Flagstaff social media and area publications. Celebrate Economic Development Week 2022 with us from May 9 through May 13! FBN

APRIL 2022 // Flagstaff Business News

@flagstaffbusinessnews

What Happens When Hearing Loss Occurs in One Ear?

By Jeff Lane, Au.D.

CAUSES AND SYMPTOMS

An estimated 7% of adults in the United States have a unilateral hearing earing loss presents itself in loss. The causes can include anatomical a unique manner in each abnormalities, acoustic or physical individual. Barring hereditary trauma, chronic ear infections and viral losses, each occurrence will be slightly varied. Some people will have a sensory infections. Similar to bilateral losses, loss, while others are conductive. Some they can be sensorineural or conductive, and can have different degrees of will occur at birth, while others do not appear until late in life. One aspect that severity. That second part is important, as it will influence the language that is sometimes glossed over is whether the hearing loss is bilateral or unilateral. is used. A unilateral hearing loss, as mentioned, is a loss that occurs in Bilateral means the loss occurs in both one ear, but wherein some degree of ears, whereas unilateral is just one ear. Since the majority of hearing losses are useable hearing remains. The term bilateral, this tends to be the default as- single-sided deafness refers specifically sumption. But unilateral hearing losses to a profound hearing loss in one ear can occur and present their own unique and normal hearing in the other. That is, the affected ear is dead. challenges and treatment options. All hearing losses affect quality of life

// If a sound is coming from the right, it will arrive slightly sooner and louder to our right ear than our left because our heads create a barrier around which the soundwave must travel. Our auditory systems are highly tuned to these slight discrepancies. //

and communication ability. Unilateral losses unfortunately add even more challenges. Namely, they reduce the capacity to hear in background noise and localize sounds. When we hear normally, our brains are able to filter out the noise we don’t want to hear and focus our attention on a specific talker. This is called the cocktail party effect. It’s not that our ears don’t hear all the other commotion; our brains are just able to ignore it all so that we can carry on a conversation. Localization refers to the ability to know where sounds are coming from in relation to your position (e.g., behind, to the left). To do this, our brains take advantage of something called the head shadow effect. If a sound is coming from the right, it will arrive slightly sooner and louder to our right ear than our left because our heads create a barrier around which the soundwave must travel. Our auditory systems are highly tuned to these slight discrepancies. They compare and contrast the signals from each ear to determine the origin of the sound. However, this system relies on the signals on each side being even, which is obviously not the case if one ear has a hearing loss. The lopsided signal throws us off, making it significantly harder to know where sounds are coming from. The same is

true for hearing in noise. In short, there is auditory chaos.

MANAGING UNILATERAL HEARING LOSS

Fortunately, there are ways to help manage unilateral hearing losses. One, of course, is to put a hearing aid on the affected ear. This will improve sound awareness on that particular side and balance out the ears, which will benefit hearing in noise and localization. However, this is not always an option. In such cases, we look to specialty devices.

CROS

If the hearing loss is too significant, or speech understanding it too poor, putting a hearing aid on the affected ear won’t help. In this case, a CROS could be used. A CROS looks like a normal hearing aid, but instead of delivering the sound to the bad ear, it transfers it to the good ear. That way, the good ear does all the listening, but the user still gets the benefit of improved sound awareness on the bad side.

BAHA

A Baha, or bone-anchored hearing aid, is a surgical implant that vibrates the skull. The sound then travels across the head and stimulates

the good ear. A Baha is typically used in cases where a hearing aid is not possible, such as an undeveloped ear or chronic infections. It also can be used in cases of single-sided deafness, but again, this would require the bad ear to be completely dead.

COCHLEAR IMPLANT

A cochlear implant as also surgically inserted and works by skipping past the ear altogether and stimulating the auditory nerve directly. They were recently approved by the FDA for cases of single-sided deafness. Cochlear implants have the most prerequisites, but are a wonderful option for those who qualify. Unilateral hearing can be frustrating and disorientating, but there is always hope. Reach out to your local audiologist to start your journey toward better communication. FBN Trinity Hearing Center is located at 1330 N. Rim Dr., Suite B in Flagstaff. For more information, visit the website at TrinityHearing. net. Jeff Lane is a doctor of audiology with a passion for improving the lives of others. Dr. Lane may be reached at 928-522-0500 or at audio@trinityhearing.net.

Flagstaff Business News // APRIL 2022

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// MAYOR’S ADDRESS // BY PAUL DEASY

Building a Stronger Flagstaff

lagstaff faced many challenges in 2021. Through it all, residents have come together to face them head on. When wildfires were raging close to town, our community raked needles from yards, cleared debris for our elderly and less-abled, and helped neighbors in threatened neighborhoods get ready to evacuate. When flooding hit, nearly 1,000 of us were out there filling and piling sandbags, clearing the mud from our neighbors’ homes and helping each other physically and emotionally. Through COVID-19, we worked to protect one another, and aside from Navajo Nation, our greater community has the highest vaccination rate in the state.

COVID HAS HAD A LARGE IMPACT

We’ve experienced more than 40,000 COVID cases in Coconino County, 2,200 hospitalizations and 430 deaths. We are thankful for healthcare professionals for putting their physical and mental health on the line to protect our community and save lives. Our hearts go out to those family and friends of the lives lost. Organizations

like Threaded Together made Personal Protective Equipment, Grand Canyon Distillery converted to make hand sanitizer and TGen labs quickly created COVID tests for the city and the nation.

ECONOMY RECOVERING

We are fortunate to see our economy rebounding with record-setting tourism, job growth continuing to rise and innovative companies, such as Bee Well hand sanitizers that began at the city’s business incubator to create a natural and environmentally friendly hand sanitizer alternative. We saw UACJ Automotive Whitehall Industries start operations in Flagstaff, with more than 300 well-paying jobs coming in the near future. This is the largest employer to move to Flagstaff in over 50 years. TGen has grown. Goodwill is opening two more locations. And, we have seen many local small businesses dusting off the ashes of the economic downturn and finding new opportunities through their own ingenuity in 2022. It is our job as locals to support them, which is why with the American Rescue Plan dollars, Flagstaff City

Council allocated $635,000 for small business support. Flagstaff is open for business and we’re here working hard. The unemployment rate for December was the lowest it’s been in more than 20 years, at 3.7%.

CREATING HOUSING SOLUTIONS We all know the weight of inflation, especially in our housing market. People are struggling to find homes to rent and purchase. A recent report from Housing Solutions found that a minimum wage worker has to work more than two full-time jobs, 87 hours a week, to afford a two-bedroom apartment in Flag without being cost burdened. Prices have increased 13.7% in the last year alone. But we, as a city government, continue to increase housing stock and support individuals needing a home. We’ve reduced restrictions on building Accessory Dwelling Units, small houses in people’s yards. We’ve expedited the process to build housing that is 100% affordable units that utilizes the low-income housing tax credits, and with the American

June 23, 24 & 25 2022 Fort Tuthill County Park

Continued on page 40

Mayor Deasy addressed the community and discussed key issues from the steps of Flagstaff City Hall last month. Courtesy photo

We are a PRCA sanctioned rodeo featuring bareback riding, saddle bronc riding, team roping, steer wrestling, tie-down roping, barrel racing and bull riding. Our rodeo is held in the tall ponderosa pines at the Coconino County Fort Tuthill grandstands on the last weekend of June each year. We offer three evening performances, so everyone can enjoy the show under the dark sky of Northern Arizona. Bright lights, excitement and near perfect temperatures grace the rodeo grounds in Flagstaff Arizona.

Go to www.flagstaffrodeo.com for more information and to purchase tickets!

APRIL 2022 // Flagstaff Business News

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April Showers Bring Record-Setting Spring

By Lori Anna Harrison

he million-dollar question asked most frequently regarding real estate as of late is: “Will homes continue to sell at these prices and at this pace for much longer?” Although the answer is complex because of many factors, the short answer is “yes,” barring a world war or unforeseen natural disaster. There are several metrics that support this response and yet the most simple contributor is demand outpacing supply. Throughout Northern Arizona, we have more buyers than homes available. As of today, the number of single-family homes available for sale in Flagstaff is only 45 homes. This is the lowest inventory we have seen in the last 12 months. A normal or balanced market would have a four- to six-month supply of active homes, which in Flagstaff would be 400 to 600 homes. Considering the anemic supply, we are also faced with home prices continuously pushing higher and now we are at yet another record-breaking price of $984,502 for an average single-family home in Flagstaff as of February 2022. It is difficult to say if February real estate statistics were an anomaly – with the average home sold just shy of a million dollars – or if this will be a trend consisting of multiple months or more. In February 2022, the average price per square foot for a single-family home was $379. This is a 28%, or $83, increase in price per square

// The average price per square foot for a single-family home in March 2022 has crept up to $383 per square foot. In April 2021, the average price per square foot of a single-family home crossed the threshold into the $300s to $307 per square foot for the first time ever. //

foot over February 2021, which was $296 per square foot. The average price per square foot for a single-family home in March 2022 has crept up to $383 per square foot. In April 2021, the average price per square foot of a single-family home crossed the threshold into the $300s to $307 per square foot for the first time ever. Now it appears we are on the precipice of crossing into the $400s per square foot in 2022. Just to provide a frame of reference, we were in the $200s per square foot for a little more than two years from February 2019 until March 2021. This next jump could happen within 12 months. A shortage of labor and construction materials only further exacerbates the situation. There are new homes on the horizon; however, start dates and delivery dates get delayed. New home and remodel delays are a national phenomenon, not just a local issue. However, these delays impact the existing home sales because typically the buyer of a new home is the seller of an existing home, and this creates a domino effect. Even with rising interest rates, we still have not yet seen a drastic – or minimal – reduction in housing demand. However, affordability is the biggest issue we face. Not too long ago, a million dollar home represented luxury and opulence. Inflation has pushed gas prices near $5 per gallon within city limits and nearly a million dollars will buy a 2,515-square-foot home with three bedrooms and two and half baths. Two years ago, a half million dollars purchased the same average home. The lemonade: Flagstaff now has a whole slew of new millionaires rich with home equity. Congratulations! Onward and upward we go and where it stops nobody knows. The good news is real estate promises to deliver nothing short of record-setting growth this spring. Have your own prediction for spring real estate? Call, text or email me! FBN Lori Anna Harrison is a Flagstaff native and 18-year real estate veteran commencing post graduate school with Shea Homes. Lori is a full-time licensed REALTOR® with Zion Realty, LLC. Call her today at 928-396-5851 or text 602-524-5674, email lori@AZdreamlifestyle.com and visit AZdreamlifestyle.com.

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Flagstaff Business News // APRIL 2022

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Scientists Believe Dogs are Using Magnetic Field to Navigate By Rebecca West, FBN

e’ve all heard the stories about pets finding their way home across a great distance. They may have become lost during a move, left behind to live with friends or become separated during a trip. While dogs have a remarkable sense of smell, it could be something more. A recent study suggests dogs are able to use Earth’s magnetic field to orient themselves. The ability, known as magnetoreception, allows other creatures, such as whales, dolphins, sea turtles and birds, to use this sixth sense for plotting a course for their annual migrations. It’s called homing behavior. Homing, defined as the ability to return to a known location (breeding grounds, shelter sites, etc.) after displacement, has been exhibited in a diverse range of vertebrates that rely on a multitude of signals for navigating. These can include visual, scent, acoustic, celestial, magnetic and idiothetic cues. Idiothetic, or self-proposition, is used in navigation models for describing the use of self-motion cues, rather than allothetic, or external cues, which are forms of sensory information derived from the surrounding environment. Up to this point, studies characterizing the navigational strategies of homing behavior in non-migratory species — particularly free-ranging mammals — have been scant. One of the earliest examples dates to 1920 when scientists attempted to decipher the mystery after using canine military couriers displaced while delivering messages during World War I. Authors of the new study stated, “The magnetic field may provide dogs with a ‘universal’ reference frame, which is essential for long-distance navigation, and arguably, the most important component that is ‘missing’ from our current understanding of mammalian special

The ability for dogs to find their way home across long distances may involve their senses as well as an innate ability to tap into Earth’s north-south axis to help orient them. Courtesy photo

behavior and cognition.” To test their theories, researchers from Czechoslovakia and the U.S. utilized GPS and video cameras to study the navigational styles of 27 canines from 10 breeds. In total, 622 trials were conducted at 62 locations consisting of forested hunting grounds. Based on the records, they determined turning points, thus dividing the excursions into outbound and inbound tracks. Undertaken between 2014 and 2017, they chose hunting breeds bred to locate prey in dense woodlands and thick brush and then find their way back to where they were released. Researchers discovered that during

two-thirds of the excursions, the dogs typically retraced their steps by using smell. But in a third of the expeditions, the dogs took a different route back. Of this group, most of them began by running for 65 feet along Earth’s north-south axis — even if the direction of their destination differed from this line. This prepping, or “compass run,” is thought to aid in determining where magnetic north and south lie and where the animal is in relation to those points. In other words, they needed to get their bearings before heading back. “This run is instrumental for bringing the mental map into register with the magnetic compass and to

establish the heading of the animal,” the authors wrote. In 399 cases (59.4 %), dogs “homed” by following their initial outbound track (scenting or tracking strategy), and in 223 cases (33.2 %), dogs homed using a novel return route (scouting strategy). In 50 cases (8.0 %), it was determined dogs combined both strategies during a single return. It was ultimately revealed that scouting dogs were faster to return. In other canine magnetoreception mysteries, after observing 37 breeds over a two-year period some 10 years ago, 12 Czech and German scientists came to the conclusion that dogs eliminate waste in alignment

with the Earth’s magnetic field. They studied a total of 1,893 defecations and 5,582 urinations while recording the orientation of the animals’ spines with a compass to reach their conclusions. No explanation was given as to why they relieve themselves in a north-south direction, but scientists have known for years that several species spontaneously align with the Earth’s magnetic field when engaging in certain behaviors. More research is expected to better understand our canine companions and how they navigate the world. FBN

APRIL 2022 // Flagstaff Business News

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Pets are Eating Better as Humans Become More Health Conscious By Betsey Bruner, FBN

hen we eat healthier, pets eat healthier, say those in the pet care industry. Purina Chief Growth Officer Andrea Faccio says that as people have redefined wellness for themselves, they are also doing so for their pets. “We don’t see this as a trend so much as an evolution that can ultimately benefit pets and the bond they share with their owners.” Thus, she says, more than ever, pet parents are doing their research to help create the best lives for their pets. “This translates to an increased interest in everything from pet foods with functional ingredients like probiotics, to dietary supplements and technology that can help them track pet health, train their pet or spend more quality time together.” As a result, Purina has experienced record growth across several brands in the past year, including Purina Pro Plan, ProPlan Veterinary Diets prescription products and Purina ONE pet foods. The Purina Pro Plan and Purina ONE pet foods are made in the Flagstaff factory, which has been in

operation since 1975. Veterinarians like Jen Sullivan, DVM, cVMA, at Canyon Pet Hospital in Flagstaff say the first step with good nutrition for a pet is to ask many questions about the age or life stage of the pet, the activity of the pet and the breed of the pet. “Is the pet an ideal weight or is the pet underweight or overweight? These are just a few questions to assess the best brand of food for the particular need of the pet.” The organization that regulates and standardizes the pet food industry is the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) It provides ingredient definitions, label standards and laboratory guidance for state, federal and international feed regulators. “Technically, the best brands are those that perform feeding trials,” said Sullivan. “These companies have taken their food through a specific AAFCO protocol and from this they are scientifically reporting the quality of the ingredients in their formula. A feeding trial is also the only way to accurately assess the quality of the protein in a diet, as this is the only valid way to determine the digestibility of a protein, and therefore its quality.”

ABOVE LEFT: Canyon Pet Hospital Veterinarian Jen Sullivan says the first step toward good nutrition for a pet is to know the age, activity and health history of the animal. ABOVE RIGHT: Nestlé Purina PetCare Company has experienced record growth across premium quality pet food brands like Purina Pro Plan and Purina ONE, made in the Flagstaff factory. Courtesy photos

There are also special health needs to consider for pets, says Prescott Olsen’s Grain Manager Ryan Baynes. “One of those is special circumstances for the pet itself, like allergies or other medical conditions that require avoidance of

certain ingredients or lower or higher macro nutrients, like less carbohydrates for dogs with diabetes or less protein as a requirement for dogs with pancreatitis or pancreatic cancer.” “Dogs are omnivores, which means

they eat more like humans,” said Sullivan. “There are certain foods that we eat that are toxic to dogs, so when feeding dogs human foods, be certain that you aren't feeding them those Continued on page 37

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Flagstaff Business News // APRIL 2022

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Limb Loss Awareness Month Can Save Lives

By Reisha Zang

here are approximately 150,000 leg amputations every year in the U.S. that are not related to an accident. That number is staggering. However, awareness that it could happen to anyone, and being aware of the causes, can potentially save a limb. Poor circulation plays a role in more than half of all surgical amputations. Conditions like diabetes and peripheral artery disease (PAD) affect blood flow to the legs and feet, putting people at a higher risk of losing a limb. “If you have both PAD and

diabetes, your risk is even higher,” warned Dr. Diana Perry of Comprehensive Integrated (CIC) in Flagstaff. A chronic wound also can lead to amputation. A wound can be anything from a scrape that never really heals to an open sore that doesn’t close or slowly gets bigger, but never better. According to the National Institutes of Health, more than six million people in the U.S. are affected by slow or non-healing wounds. “This high number worries me because if it’s not treated, a chronic wound can lead to an amputation or even death,” said Perry. “If you have an amputation because of a wound, your risk of

dying within five years is higher than if you had some [form of] cancer.” Being aware of these conditions makes a difference. There are steps you can take to lower your risk of complications. The first thing you can do is to notice how your legs feel. “PAD is often felt in the legs or feet first. Patients notice burning, tingling, cramping or wounds that won’t heal,” explained Dr. Joel Rainwater, M.D., endovascular specialist and chief medical officer of CIC. “The good news about PAD is that there’s hope. There is treatment and it’s excellent,” explained Rainwater. A minimally invasive procedure is

// If you are living with diabetes, you need to pay attention to your feet as well. “One of the most important things people with diabetes can do to lower their risk for amputation is to check their feet every day,” said Perry. “Sores, redness, swelling and any other changes to the way your feet look or feel should be reported to your doctor right away. Watching to see if something will go away on its own may let a small problem become a big problem in a hurry.” //

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done in an office setting and patients are home within hours and back to everyday activities with almost no downtime, no stitches and no overnight hospital stay. Medicare as well as most insurance plans will cover treatment. If you are living with diabetes, you need to pay attention to your feet as well. “One of the most important things people with diabetes can do to lower their risk for amputation is to check their feet every day,” said Perry. “Sores, redness, swelling and any other changes to the way your feet look or feel should be reported to your doctor right away. Watching to see if something will go away on its own may let a small problem become a big problem in a hurry.” It’s important to seek help at the first sign of any issue, there is nothing to be gained from waiting. And regular visits to a foot doctor help manage foot health and potentially reduce or prevent complications from occurring. Perry says, “When I work with a patient, I know that together, we can lower the risks of many of the problems diabetics face.” Once identified, it’s important to start treatment. Because there are many dif-

ferent processes involved with limb preservation, the best opportunity for success is with a team approach. A primary care physician, podiatrist and wound care specialist all take part in controlling diabetes, hypertension, cholesterol and wound management. An endovascular specialist evaluates circulation and can do a procedure to help blood flow, a key component of healing a wound and saving a limb. “It’s all about doing our best to help prevent a condition from leading to dangerous consequences,” said Perry. “There are treatments available that have the potential to save a limb.” Don’t let a lack of awareness put you at risk for loss of limb. FBN Dr. Diana Perry, DPM, specializes in limb preservation and trauma of the foot. She can be reached at CiC 928-719-7400. Reisha Zang is director of communication at CiC. You may contact her at 928-7197400 or reisha.zang@ciccenters.com.

APRIL 2022 // Flagstaff Business News

@flagstaffbusinessnews

Seven Simple Steps to Improve Mental Clarity By Christina Kovalik NMD, LAc

o you have trouble thinking clearly, focusing or recalling issues? Some common causes may be overwhelm from stress, lack of sleep, not enough exercise, hormone imbalance or allergies. It is important to get your thyroid, female or male hormones tested. Lack of focus could be caused by thyroid, adrenal, neurotransmitter or testosterone deficiency. Below are seven helpful tips to clear the mental fog.

1. CONDUCT A BRAIN DUMP

When you are overwhelmed, it can be helpful to have a brain dump session to write out all worries and to-dos. Then prioritize them by choosing the top three to focus on completing in a day, week and month. Setting outcomes can help you stay on task and eliminate overwhelm.

2. TAKE TIME TO BE IN NATURE

If you find yourself too consumed by work and lack focus, take a five- to 20-minute walk outside, focusing on the warmth of the sun, the birds chirping and the way the earth feels. Walking barefoot in the grass helps to ground you and lifts the fog.

3. FOCUS ON WHAT YOU EAT, GET QUALITY SLEEP

If you are feeling mind fog after a meal, make a connection about what you ate and how you feel. Clean up your diet. You are what you eat. Eating an organic whole foods diet free of processed foods, hormones and fillers can limit the mind fog. Drink less alcohol and coffee and drink more water and tea. How are you sleeping? Make sure you are getting enough quality sleep. If you are tossing and turning all night, of course you will not feel very sharp during the day.

4. FOCUS ON MOVEMENT

Exercise regularly, three to five times per week for 20 minutes, more often than not, to reach cardiovascular and overall health benefits. Do a qigong exercise for mental clarity, focus on inhaling for a count of eight and exhaling for a count of 16 while tapping the forehead, top of head and temples with all fingers lightly. Do this cycle for two to five minutes and see how relaxed and focused you feel afterward.

5. GRAB ROSEMARY OR PEPPERMINT

Inhale the essential oil or rub a sprig of fresh rosemary or peppermint to increase focus and clarity.

6. CALM THE BODY

Regular meditation, yoga, acupuncture, message and journaling have been shown to reduce stress. Acupuncture releases natural endorphins to enhance your overall well-being and regulate hormones allowing for a calmer nervous system.

7. GET YOUR LAB TESTS DONE Mind fog may be a symptom of

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hormone imbalance, neurotransmitter problems, adrenal issues, allergies or food sensitivities. Identifying what the cause is and treating it naturally can help improve focus and productivity. Are you ready to boost your vitality and optimize your health? Clear the mental fog! FBN

Dr. Christina Kovalik NMD, LAc, The Vitality Doctor, is a naturopathic physician and acupuncturist specializing in hormone optimization, optimal health and vitality. She is a new Flagstaff resident, practicing since 2004, and opened her second location in Doney Park in 2020. For more information, visit thevitalitydoctor.com or call 928-863-6086.

Flagstaff Business News // APRIL 2022

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Projecting Flagstaff Real Estate Trends

By Blake Cain

ome may say the current Flagstaff real estate market is “hot” for sellers, but how will it look come spring or summer? A crystal ball would be nice to have right about now, right? But without a crystal ball, world events and unforeseen affairs can materialize and change any, or all, of the following anticipated trends.

SPECIFICALLY FOR FLAGSTAFF

It is predicted by industry experts that 2022 will continue to be a healthy seller’s market and that home values will continue to appreciate. There is currently a housing shortage in Flagstaff that is putting pressure on seasoned home buyers, first-time home buyers, and even investors. Many new residents are relocating from California, Nevada and surrounding states. On a macro level (across the country), the National Association of Realtors predicts the following, “For 2022, the group of experts predicted that annual median home prices will increase by 5.7%, inflation will rise 4% and the Federal Open Market Committee will twice increase the federal funds rate by 0.25%.” Those who are on the fence about purchasing a Flagstaff home—whether for personal use or as an investment—should strongly consider buying now as prices

and interest rates could increase over the next year.

MULTIPLE OFFERS

If a home is priced properly and in a good location, there will likely be multiple offers. Competition among buyers for available homes is to be expected. This will not happen for every property, but for those “cream puff” properties, buyers can expect to be up against some stiff competition. Do not let this discourage you from submitting an offer. At this point, however, it’s essential to contact an established real estate professional. You need someone on your side, on your team and on the ground daily, ready to go to bat for you. Never before has it been more important to have someone who knows the intricacies of the local market, knows other brokers and agents (on a personal level) and the methods (tips and tricks) to have an offer successfully accepted. By far, the vast majority of real estate transactions in Flagstaff have a professional Realtor involved. Ask how much local knowledge your agent has. How many deals did he or she close in 2021? Does your realtor work with predominately buyers, or sellers, or both? Feel free to google your prospective real estate professional and investigate their recent sales, reviews and testimonials.

INTEREST RATES WILL BE FLUCTUATING

Historically, higher inflation has caused mortgage rates to rise. In the short term, inflation may continue to rise until the Fed acts upon it. If the Fed can tame inflation by hiking rates as they said they will do, we may see the economy start to relax and inflation decrease. We may see supply chain recoveries (RE: increased availability of building materials) and we just may observe mortgage rates drop. I have heard both sides of the coin on this one, so don’t count on future low mortgage rates. As I write this, there is uncertainty in other countries. For example, how will the war in Ukraine affect domestic interest rates? We just do not know. Currently, rates are still at historically low levels. If you are in a position to lock in a mortgage rate, you should strongly consider acting sooner than later. Remember, when your interest rate increases, your purchasing power decreases. I asked a prominent Flagstaff local Lender, Farren McMahon with Geneva Financial Home Loans, LLC, about this topic, and here is what she had to say: “Purchasing power is influenced by many factors including: total income, loan amount, down payment amount and interest rates. When interest rates increase, the purchasing power can be reduced. A 1% increase in the interest

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rate can reduce the purchasing power up to 10% (this percentage is smaller for lower loan amounts). It is important to remember that the housing market and interest rates are never static. If you are considering purchasing real estate, it is essential to talk with a trusted mortgage lender to learn what your true purchasing power is!”

INVENTORY

I expect, and hope, to see more inventory hit the market in the spring and summer months. Remember the spring and summer of 2020? It was the beginning of the pandemic. We began to see a higher demand for the Flagstaff lifestyle. Those who purchased a second home in the Flagstaff area two years ago may consider selling, given the trajectory of prices and the fact that there are major capital gains tax savings when you sell at or after two years of ownership. The Flagstaff real estate market tends to be at its busiest in the spring and summer. Summer temperatures are why we shovel the snow, right!? We expect the buying pool to remain stable or even increase; thus, we should continue to see available inventory being bought up rather quickly.

SELLERS

For those looking to sell this year, we anticipate it will be the

best year in Flagstaff’s history. Securing a licensed Realtor will arm you with knowledge of pricing trends, contract law and how to navigate multiple offers. You will also gain access to marketing. Real estate marketing has evolved digitally and virtually in ways that engage buyers, no matter their physical location. Along with enticing a local buyer, buyers are now sourced regionally or even worldwide. With the right expert advising, you have the potential to make thousands or even hundreds of thousands more than if you were to sell on your own. I have first-hand experience seeing lives changed by offers far in excess of what the seller expected. Imagine this true scenario: a buyer purchases a home a few years ago for $550,000, lists it for $800,000, and sells it to the best offer for $920,000. Only time will tell what is in store for our local market, but rest assured with the right Realtor in your corner, you can be comforted in knowing your most precious lifelong investment is being handled with the utmost respect and care. Happy buying and happy selling Flagstaff! FBN Blake Cain is a local Realtor with Russ Lyon Sotheby’s International Realty. He can be reached at 928-856-9071 or blakecain.com.

APRIL 2022 // Flagstaff Business News

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Treating Long Haulers with a Naturopathic Approach

By Amber Belt, N.D.

COVID long-hauler is someone who has a post-viral syndrome as a result of their COVID-19 infection. Long-haulers are not a new phenomenon; many people are long-haulers from influenza, cytomegalovirus, Epstein-Barr virus and other infections. I have spent more than a decade treating long-haulers, so treating COVID long-haulers is both comfortable and challenging. Since COVID is a unique virus, I am learning about its quirks and tricks while relying on my knowledge and experience with other post-viral illnesses. Because of my history of treating other types of long-haulers, I am having success treating COVID long-haulers.

COMMON SYMPTOMS

COVID tends to target the systems in the body that are compromised or weak. This may mean that my patient whose upper respiratory infections settle in their lungs may have a chronic cough. Or if their colds tend to settle in their sinuses, they may sink into chronic sinusitis. With COVID post-viral illness, I commonly see shortness of breath, fatigue, depression, anxiety, joint pain,

headache, brain fog and digestion issues. There are really no restrictions as to what symptoms a post-viral illness can cause.

A NATUROPATHIC APPROACH

I have been treating long-haulers for years with a naturopathic approach and I can’t overstate how important it is for me to see the patient as a whole person, rather than just their fatigue or shortness of breath. It’s also very important to work with the patient in a partnership, rather than a parent-child type of relationship. Beyond the visit in my office, my patient is doing the hard work of healing and they need to be as invested (or more invested!) in their healing process as I am. To create this healing relationship, it is crucial to do a complete and thorough intake. Initially, I spend an hour with a patient taking a detailed medical history and performing any necessary physical exams. When I see a long hauler, they almost always have a pre-existing medical condition (or conditions) that has predisposed them to being a long-hauler. Because we need to dig deep into my patient’s medical history to find and treat the root of their symptoms, the healing process can often take longer than the patient

expects. Healing is a journey that involves hard work and patience with the process, which can be up and down. With my patients who have post-viral illness, I will commonly order labs as part of their assessment. I will often start evaluating my patients by targeting three areas on their lab assessment. However, if my patient has different needs as far as lab workup is concerned, I will not hesitate to broaden the scope of what I am looking for with their lab work.

INFLAMMATION IS COMMON

Inflammation is a major player in post-COVID illness. This inflammation can really spark symptoms anywhere in the body. In fact, inflammation of the brain causes a lot of long-hauler symptoms such as brain fog, depression and anxiety. Inflammation can also cause issues with the heart and lungs, the gastrointestinal tract, and other organ systems. I will order several lab tests to evaluate inflammation in the body, including c-reactive protein, ferritin, erythrocyte sedimentation rate and several others.

HORMONES CAN BE AFFECTED COVID can knock a person’s hor-

mones for a loop! I have seen COVID disrupt testosterone, estrogen, cortisol, thyroid, insulin and other hormones. Imbalanced hormones can cause menstrual issues, menopausal symptoms, fatigue, hair loss, weight gain and a whole host of other symptoms. Some of these hormones can be evaluated with a simple blood test, while others are better evaluated with salivary or urine testing.

CO-INFECTIONS CAN RETURN

Infections that we have had in the past may become reactivated with COVID. The immune system may have had an old infection under control, but COVID came along and knocked the immune system askew, and the old infection was allowed to return. Once the old infection has a foothold, it can begin to cause symptoms. I commonly see reactivation of Epstein-Barr virus and cytomegalovirus. Both of these viruses, when reactivated, can cause fatigue, brain fog, depression and other symptoms. I also frequently see reactivation of organisms that cause atypical pneumonia, which can contribute to the post-COVID cough and shortness of breath.

There are many other co-infections that can be problematic, so, again, the thorough patient intake will help guide my thought process as to what co-infections need to be evaluated. Many of these co-infections can be evaluated with a simple blood test. In closing, if you are a COIVD long-hauler, I would like this article to give you hope. Being a COVID long-hauler is not a life sentence. Our bodies are designed to heal, but we must thoroughly evaluate the patient and help them gain the tools that they need to restore their health. FBN

Amber Belt, N.D. is a naturopathic physician and co-owner of Aspen Integrative Medical Center where she helps patients get healthy from the inside out. She is also co-owner of Sage Sirona, which focuses on natural first aid and education. Dr. Belt has been practicing naturopathic medicine for more than 15 years and can be contacted via aspenmedcenter.com or sagesirona.com. You can also call her office at 928-213-5828.

Flagstaff Business News // APRIL 2022

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GOLF continued from page 17

the ball and relays information to the computer, which is then projected onto the screen. Behind the screen is a little box that uses 3D Doppler radar to track the flight of the ball. It’s pretty accurate tracking yardages, ball speeds, ball spins, total distance, club data and club path,” said Steve, who also owns Incline Custom Builders of Flagstaff. Babbitt Ford Salesperson Hayden Westling and Aspen Valley Assistant Golf Professional Rylee Snopek played a few rounds at Mill Golf before visiting Tournament Players Golf (TBC) Scottsdale. “I really enjoy it because this keeps me in shape and locked into the game during the winter,” said Snopek, who has played competitive golf since he was 12 years old.

“This is a really creative idea. It’s nice, it’s easy and gives us good indoor golf solutions,” said Westling. “It’s also really good for any golfer’s skill range, whether you’ve never swung a club or are an expert.” Mill Golf attracts visitors to Flagstaff as well and offers golf club maintenance services such as golf club re-grips and shafts, repairs and adjustments. Golf balls and gloves are available for sale. Future plans include expanding the snack bar into a small restaurant and obtaining a liquor license. Mill Golf is located in the Village Center Shopping Center, 1790 East Route 66. For more information, call 928-440-5800 or visit www.millgolf. com. Reservations can be made at booking@millgolf.com. FBN Long-time golfer Rylee Snopek says the indoor golf facility helps him stay in shape. Photo by V. Ronnie Tierney, Fresh Focuses Photograph

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APRIL 2022 // Flagstaff Business News

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Helping an Addict Without Enabling

By Roy DuPrez

ddiction is tough, especially when it is a loved one going through it. You want to help them, because that’s what family members do, but that love and support may be harmful when someone is going through addiction. Bailing a family member out of jail over and over can prevent them from facing the consequences they may need to overcome their addiction. Giving money intended for food or rent can turn into the person having funds to buy more drugs. Telling their friends or employer the person is “sick” instead of hungover helps them cover up their addictive behavior. It is easy for family members to enable the person they are truly trying to help. Understanding these actions and what enabling really looks like will help you to set boundaries and help encourage the person to seek treatment and recover.

they aren’t sober. For example, when you pay an addicted loved one’s electric bill or rent, you’re enabling them because they would pay it on their own if they were sober. Your heart is in the right place but the person going through addiction can manipulate those intentions. These behaviors shield the user from experiencing the consequences of their addiction. Well-intentioned actions are thought of as a free pass by the addict to continue their substance abuse. This way of thinking can delay and even prevent the person from seeking treatment. The good news is there are several ways you can encourage a loved one and get them the help they need.

DON’T LOAN THEM MONEY

No amount of money you give your loved ones will make them stop using drugs or drinking. However, your money can fund their addiction. Giving a person struggling with addiction money allows them to have access to substances, downplays the WHAT IS ENABLING? importance of working and structure. Enabling looks a lot like helping but it really isn’t. When you enable some- No matter how hard it is, you must make the choice to stop giving them one, you are giving them the ability or means to do something. Therapists money and help push them toward describe enabling as helping an addict recovery. with aspects of their lives they need to do on their own but don’t because DON’T RESCUE THEM FROM

LEGAL CONSEQUENCES

Bailing your loved one out of jail enables their reckless behavior to continue. This type of enabling shows your loved ones that there are no consequences for their actions. This unbalanced perspective can feed their impulsive behavior because they think that they can get away with anything. Behavior like this can also lead to more serious and reckless behavior that can have even greater consequences.

DON’T MAKE EXCUSES

Never make excuses for a person going through addiction. You must face reality. The person isn’t sick, they have a hangover. They didn’t forget to pay their rent; they used the money to pay for their addiction. Denying there is an issue doesn’t make it go away. You must accept that there is a problem. Once you do this, you can help your loved one get the treatment they need.

DON’T TAKE OVER RESPONSIBILITIES

Paying your loved one’s bills, taking on their parenting duties or cleaning up their house allows them to choose substances over responsibility. Doing this takes away their duties, allow-

ing them to continue indulging in their addiction. It is scary to watch someone fail to be responsible due to aspects of their life falling apart. You must understand that hitting rock bottom may be just what they need to realize they need help. Having a family member struggling with addiction is tough to watch play out. You constantly worry about where they are and what they are doing. You must remember that enabling your loved one only helps the addiction to continue. Once you stop enabling, the person has nowhere else to turn and is more likely to get to a mindset that they need help and seek treatment. FBN Roy DuPrez is the owner and founder of Back2Basics Outdoor Adventure Recovery. Back2Basics is an adventure recovery program, up to six months, for young adult males ages 18-30 with substance abuse issues looking for a positive and meaningful life. In our program, clients are exposed to a weekly combination of both wilderness adventures and residential programming. For more information, visit back2basicsoutdooradventures.com, call 928-814-2220 or email rduprez@b2badventures.com.

// Never make excuses for a person going through addiction. You must face reality. The person isn’t sick, they have a hangover. They didn’t forget to pay their rent; they used the money to pay for their addiction. Denying there is an issue doesn’t make it go away. You must accept that there is a problem. Once you do this, you can help your loved one get the treatment they need. //

Flagstaff Business News // APRIL 2022

flagstaffbusinessnews.com

How Much Storage Space Do You Need?

By Tom Boggess

pring is upon us and it’s time to open the garage door, clean up, sweep out and finally park that car inside. Or, maybe you’ve discovered you need just a little more space in the apartment. Storage units tend be scarce in the summer because many NAU students store their dorm belongings and go home in May. So, now is the time to get going on your spring clean-up and determine how much more storage space you need. Your local storage facility can offer solutions. Here’s a guide to help: The 5’ x 5’ unit is the size of a small walk-in closet. It’s often 8’ tall, so ask about the height and find out what floor it is located on. The 5’ x 10’ unit will fit twice as much stuff and is like a deep closet. Often the 10’x10’ unit will serve the needs of overflow from the home. It’s basically the size of a small bedroom. The 10’x 20’ unit is about the size of a one-car garage. These units often will have an outside access but its best to ask. Some facilities will have much larger units such as 10’ x 30’ and up to 15’ x 50’ but they may be hard to come by. Help is on the way. Corporate facilities and local operators alike are AWD LAW for FBN 4 FIN.pdf

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building right now. Our local Flagstaff market will see more storage units than ever before come online this summer, with hundreds of thousands of square feet currently permitted and under construction. Some facilities are offering indoor space for RV and boat storage as well. 1

3/1/21

6:06 PM

Assess your needs, choose what’s best and make space in your life! FBN Tom Boggess is the owner and operator of Flagstaff Storage and Woody Mountain Campground. He has been in the business for more than 25 years.

APRIL 2022 // Flagstaff Business News

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Don’t Be the One Who Says: ‘That Won’t Happen to Me’

ur normal day-to-day lives are risk-filled adventures that sometimes get out of hand. While we live in a society that provides us protection from much that can harm us, we crafty humans find ways around the protections all the time. Let’s talk about a few examples and what could or should have been done that would have prevented the event. I was cleaning my gun and it just went off! This is one of the most frequently occurring negligent discharges that often results in serious injuries or even death. As folks become more familiar with their firearms, there seems to be a natural tendency to relax compliance with the Four Fundamental Safety Rules. They are: 1. Treat every gun as if it’s loaded. 2. Never point the muzzle at something

you’re not willing to destroy. Keep your finger off of the trigger until ready to shoot. 4. Know your target AND what’s beyond it. The first step in cleaning a gun should always be to verify that it is unloaded. Too many times, that first step is skipped because gun owners may think, “I know I unloaded it earlier.” We recommend that you unload and verify your gun is unloaded in a different room and leave the ammunition there. This assures you that you, and those around you, will be safe while you’re cleaning. It’s important to realize that a negligent discharge is a threat not just to yourself and those in the immediate vicinity but also those quite a distance away. Modern handgun ammunition can easily penetrate multiple 3.

interior walls and common rifle ammunition can travel in excess of three miles at optimum trajectory. Speaking of checking to make sure a firearm is unloaded, we have experienced situations where customers brought their firearm in for maintenance and state, “Don’t worry, it’s unloaded.” Sometimes customers return a rental firearm that should be unloaded and it isn’t. We ALWAYS personally check every firearm we touch to verify it’s unloaded. That includes those on display that we “know” should not be loaded. It’s especially impressive to us when, after we check it and hand it to a customer, that they, too, personally check it. Many of us “learned” how to shoot under the direction of a friend or relative in the local

forest. While that can be a very rewarding and bonding experience, emphasis on the four safety rules is often neglected. Make sure that anyone teaching you follows those rules and that you yourself know how to check that the firearm is unloaded. You should never trust that someone else has verified if a gun is loaded or not, do it yourself, every time. Failing to follow those four simple rules results in events we always thought could never happen to us. Don’t be that person! FBN Rob Wilson is the owner, with his wife, Elise, of Timberline Firearms & Training in Flagstaff. They offer a full line of firearms, accessories, safes and ammunition along with Liberty Safes. For more information, visit timberlinefirearms.us.

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ELECTRIC VEHICLES continued from page 1

the dog in the back.” Brian Landauer, general manager of Findlay Toyota Flagstaff, says Toyota is the world leader of hybrid and electric vehicles, as Toyota invented the first generation Prius. Landauer said hybrids are more popular than fully electric cars because drivers worry about running out of power on long trips. With a hybrid, he says drivers can go from Flagstaff to Los Angeles and back without having to charge their batteries. When hybrid vehicles get low on battery power, the vehicle automatically switches over to gas. “The vehicle does it all on its own. Most customers never feel the system working. You just plug it in and go,” he said. New hybrid vehicles also are less expensive than they used to be, ranging from about $24,000 to $40,000. In 2021, Toyota sold 2.5 million hybrid or electric vehicles; 17 million since they became available. Drivers like them because they save money on gas and have less of an environmental impact. Hybrid models available at Toyota include the Prius, Corolla, Camry, RAV4 and Highlander. Within a year, Toyota expects more hybrids, including the Tundra, the first fullsized SUV Sequoia hybrid and the

sporty bZ4X. “We are focusing on the hybrids until the battery issues are worked out,” he said. Currently, batteries are guaranteed for 125,000 miles. Landauer says he expects electric vehicles will be more practical for long-range driving in about five years as technology improves. Like many businesses, Toyota’s production of electric and hybrid vehicles has had inventory challenges during the pandemic as production slowed 20% to 30%. However, the number of charging stations for electric vehicles is increasing. So far, hybrids and electric vehicles make up less than 3% of the global market. “It is a relatively new technology,” he said, adding that electric and hybrid vehicles are about the same mechanically as other vehicles, although the brake pads and rotors last longer in the hybrid and electric vehicles. “We use regenerative brake pads and rotors.” Landauer said the hybrid and electric vehicles perform at a higher level than other vehicles and do better than gas-powered vehicles at high altitudes. “These vehicles are more peppy. There is no downside to having a hybrid. That’s why they are so popular.” FBN

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City of Flagstaff Growing its Hybrid, Electric Fleet

By Stan Bindell, FBN

he City of Flagstaff is among the local governments leading the state for using hybrid or electric vehicles in their fleets. Flagstaff Fleet Manager Gregory Conlin said the use of hybrid and electric vehicles is helping the city move toward its climate action plan. “It’s a quickly growing trend and

we’re going full speed in.” The city purchased its first hybrid in 2006 and now has 38 hybrid or electric vehicles, making up about 12% of the fleet. Twelve more hybrid vehicles have been ordered. “But we have no idea when we’ll get them,” he said, citing a lack of microchips and shortage of workers for the slowdown in production. “I’m proud of what we’ve done. As of two years ago, we were leading

// The City of Flagstaff has five charging stations with 11 ports; eight of those ports are open and free to the public. More charging stations are planned for the library, the visitor center and other locations. //

the state in the percentage of hybrids or electric vehicles,” said Conlin, adding that they cost more up front but require less maintenance than gas-powered vehicles. The City of Flagstaff has five charging stations with 11 ports; eight of those ports are open and free to the public. More charging stations are planned for the library, the visitor center and other locations. The Forest Service and Northern Arizona University has charging stations. Several private businesses have charging stations as well, including Flagstaff Chevrolet and Walmart. Conlin meets weekly with Fleet Pros, made up of government and private businesses with large fleets. “We’re all moving toward electrification. It’s fun being on the cutting edge, not only with the transition, but with policy.” FBN

EAGLES continued from page 3

science says about potential impacts of lead ammunition on wildlife, 80% or more take action.” Golden eagles are large, long-lived raptors found in the high-desert grasslands of the West. Some are in Northern Arizona year-round. Others spend the summer as far north as the Yukon. Babbitt Ranches has been studying eagles across its 750,000-acre rangeland for more than a decade. FBN

APRIL 2022 // Flagstaff Business News

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PET FOOD continued from page 27

things. The ASPCA has a good list of foods that are toxic to dogs.” Generally, she says, if it is wholesome for us, it is wholesome for them, like carrots, green beans, apples, bananas, potatoes, hard boiled eggs and lean meats that are boiled. “Cats are obligate carnivores, which means that they do need high protein diets. Cat foods are formulated much differently than dog foods for this

reason,” said Sullivan. Growing puppies and kittens require a higher caloric requirement, and because of growing bones, they also require different calcium-to-phosphorus ratios than adult dogs and cats need. Baynes says bioavailability is important to consider for dog food. “For example, both vegetable and meat contain protein. But the dog’s digestive system didn’t evolve to break down lots

of vegetable matter. In the wild, most of the fruits and vegetables dogs would consume they got from eating the stomachs of prey animals, those animals who have digestive systems geared to breaking down that type of food.” He advised pet owners to generally look for brands that have higher meat content, but “still contain fruits and vegetables that are more bioavailable to the dog and serve a nutritional purpose

// For example, meat byproducts [organ meats] are not bad, they are just a different source of protein than meat from a muscle. Many of these ingredients actually have a higher nutritional value and have a higher digestibility when compared to muscle meat, which means that they provide better nutrient levels. //

in their inclusion.“ Sullivan said pet owners are well advised to avoid ash as a pet food ingredient. “Generally, a diet with a higher ash content is of lower quality.” She also warns about common myths. “For example, meat byproducts [organ meats] are not bad, they are just a different source of protein than meat from a muscle. Many of these ingredients actually have a higher nutritional value and have a higher digestibility when compared to muscle meat, which means that they provide better nutrient levels.” And grain-free diets are not recommended for the healthy pet, she says. “Dogs have been eating grains from the beginning of time and the vast majority of dogs do not have a grain allergy. We reserve grain-free foods for those that are suspected to have food allergies that lead to GI upset and/or skin

related issues. For diarrhea [in dogs], we generally recommend a bland diet, like boiled chicken and rice – think of chicken noodle soup for humans and probiotic support If vomiting accompanies diarrhea, we often recommend a 12-24 hour fast [for dogs only].” Constipation is generally a cat problem, she says. “Wet food to keep pets hydrated is helpful, along with fiber [green beans, canned pumpkin for dogs, Metamucil for cats].” Faccio said it is important to consider every dimension of pet health – physical, emotional and mental. Purina has more than 500 pet behaviorists, nutritionists and vets on staff who are focused on total pet health. “This holistic view of pet wellness is core to who we are and more relevant than ever to the way pet owners are viewing their pets’ health.” FBN

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CONSTRUCTION continued from page 15

SYRINGE continued from page 20

a love for construction and regularly takes on projects – primarily remodels. “I should have done this 25 years ago,” she said. “I’m fulfilling what I was really meant to do. Everybody around me was saying I should get my contractor’s license, so, why fight it anymore?” Oakason said that beyond the basics of the construction trades, she is also learning the skills she needs to fulfill her goal. By serving as project manager, she is also learning leadership, verbal communication and teamwork skills. Skills taught to the students include jobsite safety, hazard recognition, blueprint reading, building code applications, modern framing techniques, surveying, building layout and more. Wolverton said that the Starter Home concept is to help young families be able to afford homeownership so they can build enough wealth to move up to a larger home or create a business venture. The homes are 400 square feet, placed in partnership with the city or with other organizations that have land on which to build. There is room for two adults and one child and Habitat sells the home for $100,000 to an income-qualifying family. The family puts up a $1,000 down payment and pays $833 a month on a zero percent mortgage. When the homeowner wishes to “cash out,” he or she must sell the home back to Habitat, so the home can be sold to new families entering the market. Plans for the future definitely involve growth, Wolverton said. Myers added that he is excited for his future students and the opportunity to be helpful to the community. “I hope they can take that feeling with them and continue to be the solution for building a better world.” Oakason said she appreciates the Habitat work on two fronts – she’s learning and she’s being helpful to her community. “It’s just what Flagstaff needs,” she said, smiling. FBN For more information about the construction trades at Coconino Community College, visit https://www.coconino.edu/paths/construction-trades. For more information about Habitat for Humanity, visit https://www.habitatflagstaff.org/.

BASEBALL continued from page 6

planning their trip, and does so through several platforms such as digital ads, social media, paid search results, and even digital billboards and sports podcasts. Another aspect of AOT’s marketing takes places after fans arrive and are attending games. For instance, this year, AOT created a 30-second video about Arizona tourism destinations that plays inside the ballparks. “One of our roles at AOT is to let visitors know what else is close to the Valley, sort of one-tank road trips. If you’re here from out of state, you might be familiar with the Valley but not realize you’re a short drive to other places,” said Coddington. Local tourism authorities, or destination marketing organizations (DMOs) as they are called in the tourism industry, also create Cactus League strategies. “As the city’s [Flagstaff’s] accredited DMO, Discover Flagstaff partners with the AOT and the Cactus League to strategically target spring training enthusiasts before they leave home, to encourage a Flagstaff visit while in Arizona,” said Discover Flagstaff Marketing and Media Relations Manager Lori Pappas. “Strategies and goals are research-based and executed with a laser-like focus on the goal for our destination to become a part of the fans’ overall itinerary when coming to Arizona for this very special event.” Therefore, it’s not unusual to see fans wearing shirts emblazoned with their favorite team’s logo, such as Bill Johnson of New York during a recent visit to Flagstaff. A lifelong fan of the Milwaukee Brewers, Johnson first visited Arizona about a decade ago for spring training. He picked up a Cactus League guide and saw an advertisement for outdoor activities to do in Northern Arizona. “This really excited me about Arizona,” he said, “and so the next year I added more days onto my trip, to see the Grand Canyon. Since then, my annual spring break trip is as much about seeing the rest of Arizona as it is about catching some early baseball.” FBN

Larry Hendricks is the senior manager of public relations and marketing at Coconino Community College.

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exposure the more effective they are at stopping virus transmission. Do not delay in getting immediate help. Accidental needle sticks and sharps injuries are not the only reason for PEP. Condom breakage with someone of an unknown status and being the victim of a sexual assault by someone of an unknown status are also reasons to seek PEP medications. We are here for you. No judgement. Just help! I would like to thank everyone who voted for us to be the Non-Profit of the Year in the Quad Cities 2021. We appreciate your continued support. Northland Cares is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that relies on donations and grant funding. Have a safe time enjoying our shared community spaces. Call us if you encounter a discarded syringe! FBN Hedda Fay is the community outreach and program developer for Northland Cares. In a former life, she worked in law enforcement and public mental health. Her passion today is educating people about their sexual health and prevention services to the community. Northland Cares is located at 3112 Clearwater Drive, Ste. A, in Prescott. For more information, call 928-776-4612.

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APRIL 2022 // Flagstaff Business News

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DREAM BIG continued from page 18

group is named by the one that comes before you – and there was Lauren to greet her. Lauren, a research geologist with the USGS Astrogeology Science Center in Flagstaff, was selected to train Jessica’s NASA astronaut candidate class about basic geology. “Jessica had insider knowledge [with her background in geology], but she hadn’t been to the sites before,” said Lauren. “Having worked with Jessica in multiple field environments and through rover operations, I have seen how Jessica is very level-headed, easy to work with, and a great teammate. She’s brilliant, motivated, and has the right disposition to be a great astronaut.” This month, Lauren plans to return to Cape Canaveral for the April 20 launch of Crew 4, as the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket carries four astronauts to the International Space Station. “I think I’ll be even more excited this time. I’m emotionally invested. It’s not every day that you get to see your friends launch into space.” Jessica will be suited up inside. She will be celebrating her 34th birthday in the space station and is on course to be the first black woman to have an extended space station stay. Jessica also has been selected for the Artemis team – the astronauts who are helping Americans re-

turn to the moon in 2025. The actual crew going to the moon on the first manned mission has not been selected yet, but President Joe Biden has said there will be a woman and a person of color on that mission. In the meantime, the Artemis team will likely be back in Flagstaff for additional geology training. And yes, the friends will be reunited again, as Lauren hopes to prepare them for the rocks they might encounter at the lunar South Pole. Is there power in a dream? “A dream feels like a big far-away goal that’s going to be difficult to achieve and something that you might achieve much later in life,” said Jessica in a NASA video. “But in reality, what a dream realized is just putting one foot in front of the other on a daily basis. And if you put enough of those footprints together, eventually they become a path toward your dreams.” Marc Guss would agree. And so would Walt Disney, who said, “Dreams come true if you have the courage to pursue them.” FBN Bonnie Stevens is a public relations consultant. She can be reached at bonnie.stevens@gmail.com. Hear more from Lauren Edgar on Zonie Living at StarWorldwideNetworks.com

FOREST THINNING continued from page 16

Logs from thinning projects are piled in the forest around Flagstaff as logging companies fulfill contracts designed to thin crowded stands. Photo by Diane Hope

another company dealing with changes in forest thinning for fire prevention. The family business has been in operation for 56 years, logging around 2,000 acres per year. “For us, a big challenge has been large stewardship thinning contracts for Arizona State Land and The Nature Conservancy ending recently,” said owner James Perkins. Like other companies, he now has to bid competitively for timber sales. “We recently bought two sales totaling 4,000 acres in the Parks area and 400 acres by Munds Park,” he said. “The cost is typically around $120,000 for 2,000 loads of wood – about $60/load, before the trees are cut and milled.” To cope with increased costs, Perkins has increased the volume of timber he cuts and set up his own sawmills in Williams – a small one opened in 2018 and a second larger one a year-and-a-half ago. “It means we can keep our 26 employees working year-round by milling timber we have in the yard when the forests are closed to logging,” he said. “Having our own sawmills means we can bring a tree from the forest to saleable lumber within a week.” FBN

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Flagstaff Business News // APRIL 2022

flagstaffbusinessnews.com TRAIL KEEPERS continued from page 8

Pairing Pecans with Wine

ore than 7,000 people attended the Camp Verde Pecan and Wine Festival last month. The free event featuring 13 Arizona wineries was co-hosted by the Verde Valley Wine Consortium and the Town of Camp Verde, sponsored by Yavapai College and its Southwest Wine Center and Larry Green Chevrolet. “This year, people

were happy to be outside, talking and having a good time,” said Verde Valley Wine Consortium President Tom Schumacher. “It was outstanding,” said Camp Verde Town Manager Russ Martin. “We had almost as many people on Saturday that we did over two days last year.” Pictured here, Arizona Stronghold Vineyards Wine Club Manager

Summer Hawk, Verde Valley Wine Consortium President Paula Woosley, Arizona Stronghold Assistant Winemaker Amanda Oswald and Arizona Stronghold Events Coordinator Marie Tucich, were among those promoting the Verde Valley as a recently designated American Viticultural Area (AVA). FBN

and The Global Wealth Management Group of Raymond James. “For every guided hike and bike tour, we pull back $5 and pour it into the fund,” said Jim Foss, activities director at Enchantment Resort in Sedona. “We do what we can to help.” Also helping to maintain trails is an ever-expanding team of volunteers. “Through Feb. 15, the Forest Service reported 281 volunteers at the various volunteer workdays this season, including Friends of the Forest,” Adams said. “We’ve had several workdays since, so [we have had at least] 300.” Trail maintenance tasks include brushing, debris removal, tread work, social trail naturalization, retaining wall and armoring construction, rock stair installation, draining structure installation and maintenance, as well as kiosk, maps and trail signage installation as needed. Mayor Moriarty announced the March 24 launch of a new shuttle system by the City of Sedona that will transport people to five of the most popular trailheads in Sedona, in conjunction with the creation of two new parking lots at the trailheads where parking is often limited. “We accelerated the launch just in time for Spring Break,” she told the audience. The new shuttle service will link up with the existing Verde Shuttle system. “The Verde links will bring people up to the edge of Sedona near the cultural park,” she added. The five trailheads served are Dry Creek, Mescal, Little Horse, Cathedral Rock and Soldier Pass, with new parking lots at Mescal and at the Church of the Red Rocks. Businesses participating in the first phase of Trail Keepers 2.0 program are honored in a large banner at the Uptown Visitor Information Center in Sedona and also will be listed on plaques at trailheads in the Sedona trail system. FBN

Photo by V. Ronnie Tierney, Fresh Focuses Photography

GUARDING AGAINST WILDFIRE continued from page 24

Rescue Plan dollars, we allocated $2.3 million toward housing programs in partnership with local non-profits and others. In 2021, Flagstaff City Council did not raise the property tax levy, and instead reduced our property tax rate to not further burden our people.

PROTECTION FROM WILDFIRE

Wildfire season is just around the corner and our brave firefighters will be out there once again working tirelessly to protect our community. We are extremely thankful that in 2021, the Forest Service allocated more than $50 million to our region’s 4FRI forest thinning operations. In addition, we were allocated $3.5 million by Congress for Flagstaff’s Watershed Protection Plan. I want to thank our federal delegation and especially Congressman Tom O’Halleran for his advocacy in seeing this through. The City of Flagstaff also has been

working to bolster our fire defenses in other ways. In 2021, the average Flagstaff firefighter received a 5.9% raise.

DEALING WITH FLOODS

Flooding last summer was traumatizing to many, with millions of dollars in damages to private and public property. Still today, people live behind feet of sandbags. Some homes have black mold from the flooding. And some don’t know if their home will be flooded this monsoon season. Flagstaff City Council has made this a top priority. Through our partnerships with Coconino County Flood Control District, the Forest Service, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the Flagstaff Unified School District, and our federal delegation, we have secured more than $14 million in just six months for the Museum fire flood area and Spruce Wash. Several of these projects will be

// Wildfire season is just around the corner and our brave firefighters will be out there once again working tirelessly to protect our community. We are extremely thankful that in 2021, the Forest Service allocated more than $50 million to our region’s 4FRI forest thinning operations. //

completed before monsoon season. We are so proud of Team Flagstaff and are grateful for our partnerships that have funded, engineered and soon will complete critical infrastructure. The Museum fire flood area is not the only flood zone we are concerned about. It is crucial that we complete the Rio de Flag Flood Control project to protect downtown and the neighborhoods of Southside, La Plaza Vieja and Townsite. This is a $122 million project, with 65% funded by the Army Corp of Engineers, and we are in the midst of land acquisition and negotiating with BNSF railroad to break ground. Once completed, this project has the potential to prevent $1.5 billion in damages that would affect approximately 1,500 structures in Flagstaff.

MOVING TOWARD GREATER SUSTAINABILITY

Wildfire and flooding dangers have further highlighted our changing climate, and Flagstaff is placing sustainability efforts at the forefront of our policy decision-making. Last June, Flagstaff City Council passed the Carbon Neutrality Plan and we are taking steps to implement the big shift in thinking it will require to see through. We are actively redesigning our transportation system to improve bike/pedestrian safety and have approved the Active Transportation

Master Plan. We are providing new development incentives that will create more sustainable developments. The drop-off composting program has diverted 4,000 pounds of food waste out of our landfill, and we have set aside $30,000 for a project providing employment opportunities for unsheltered individuals to pick up litter in our community. We are thankful to have received word recently from Congressman O’Halleran that $750,000 was allocated by Congress for Flagstaff home retrofitting for greater energy efficiency.

FOCUSED ON INCLUSION

We have also been making large efforts to become a far more inclusive community and city government. City Council has approved designs for the new entrance to the downtown library, with easier access for those with wheelchairs and everyone. City Council meetings are now being live-streamed with closed captioning, so that deaf and hard of hearing individuals can actively participate. Our CARE team – Community Alliance Response and Engagement – offers a 9-1-1 diversion team in which a behavioral health specialist and fire EMT will be responding to certain 9-1-1 calls regarding mental health or sub-

stance use. Our program has a patrol unit out in the community helping people get the services they need.

BOOSTING BROADBAND

Another large focus has been to close the digital divide through greater investment in broadband infrastructure. With the state project to create new fiber north on I-17 and west on I-40, Flagstaff is positioned for private market interests in quality high speed internet throughout our city. Through the development of the Broadband Master Plan, we are prepared to take our internet infrastructure to the next level, and with more than half a dozen internet companies showing interest in Flagstaff, we are setting ourselves up for the future. Broadband is the great equalizer, providing educational and economic opportunities. With that in mind, the Flagstaff City Council allocated $1.5 million dollars last year to advance our broadband capacity. I want to thank Flagstaff City Council and the work of city staff, our partners and, most importantly, all the teamwork that has achieved so much in so little time. Our path forward is one that will create an even more prosperous and thriving community. FBN Paul Deasy is the mayor of Flagstaff.

APRIL 2022 // Flagstaff Business News

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STONEY WARD continued from page 12

an, Ward moved to Grand Canyon Junction from Las Vegas where he owned an outdoor recreation company. “I’ve worked with thousands of kids, teaching them survival courses, team building, zipline, ropes courses and whitewater rafting at Big Rock Candy Mountain Resort.” For good measure, Ward says he likes to incorporate team building into his lessons. “No matter what their future job is, team building helps them learn how to work together as a team to accomplish their goals.” Starting each class with breathing exercises is also a part of Ward’s instruction. “I’ve encountered some youth who seem pretty listless and uninspired. This could be partly due to the past two years of life during a pandemic and the uncertainty in their lives. Plus, kids spend a lot of time on their devices, [they have] unhealthy eating habits and not enough time doing hands-on tasks and exercise. Oxygen is good.” “Mr. Ward has amazing energy and that’s a really great starting point, especially for middle school students,” said Grand Canyon School science/environmental science instructor Adrian Alvarez. “The students are really excited to see how fast the growing process is for microgreens. The other thing they’re really excited about with hydroponics is the low usage of water. A lot of us

live in rural areas, so we know the importance of protecting our water, as many of us haul water to our homes.” The students also have shown a lot of interest in the nutritional value of microgreens and how they can incorporate this into their diets, said Alvarez. “They are really excited to share this experience with their families and the community at large.” As the students grow plants, they will be donating them to local food banks. “They will also be hosting a Farmers Market to bring healthy and organic produce to the community,” said Ward. Spirit of the Canyon has gained support from the Grand Canyon Rotary Club with a generous donation. “Our kids are our future and more education about hydroponics is good for our community and I’m really glad about Stoney’s program with the kids. Fresh, pure organic vegetables and fruits and water conservation is important,” said Grand Canyon Rotary Club President Clayann Cook. Located in Grand Canyon Junction, Ward established and constructed Spirit of the Canyon hydroponics ranch last May. “My plans are to have the students who are involved in this project come out to see the ranch and experience hydroponic farming firsthand.” Ward plans to work with other farmers in the area and expand his

Middle School students at Grand Canyon School taste microgreens.

educational program. “Once the foundation is set here at Grand Canyon School, I plan to use it as a model for other schools in Northern Arizona,” he said. For more information about Spirit of the Canyon, visit spiritofthecanyon.com or call 702-333-8361.

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COLTER continued from page 14

her to do what she did,” said Edward “Ted” McClure, librarian at the Grand Canyon National Park research library. “She traveled all over the Southwest looking at Native American construction and patterned her design for the Desert View Watchtower on what she saw. I think what is most important is that she was her own woman in a man’s world.” Senior Contributing Editor at Preservation Magazine and author Arnold Berke in his book, “Mary Colter Architect of the Southwest” titled his first chapter “Drawn by the Desert: An Incomprehensible Woman in Pants.” Berke wrote, “She possessed a special genius for interpreting the past to create new buildings and interiors that, with their striking forms and fanciful atmosphere, have enchanted generations of travelers crossing the American Southwest.” Colter “may well be the bestknown unknown architect in the United States who helped to create the National Park Service rustic style,” stated Preservation Magazine. Though historians, architects and visitors find her work fascinating, the Desert View Watchtower stands out, built on the South Rim with views of the Painted Desert to the east, the

Colter traveled the Southwest studying Native American construction and designed the Desert View Watchtower based on her observations, said Edward “Ted” McClure, librarian at the Grand Canyon National Park research library. Photo by V. Ronnie Tierney, Fresh Focuses Photography

San Francisco Peaks to the south and the Colorado River as it exits Marble Canyon to the north. “After exploring archaeology sites in the Four Corners region, Mary Colter closely supervised the design of Desert View Watchtower, a majestic recreation of an ancient stone tower rising from the eastern rim of the Grand Canyon,” said Grand Canyon Conservancy Director of Marketing

Mindy Riesenberg. “The conservation of the historic murals inside the Watchtower was completed in 2019 and the second phase of the development of an Intertribal Cultural Heritage Site at Desert View started this winter with work on a new amphitheater on the rim of the canyon. In the next few years, the area will see many changes, including redesigned pathways, a new tribally-

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Mary Colter (right) with Secretary of the Interior Harold L. Ickes’ wife and Grand Canyon National Park Superintendent Minor Tillotson. Courtesy of the Grand Canyon National Park

run welcome center and expanded capabilities for hosting cultural demonstrators,” said Riesenberg. Other structures built under Colter’s architectural ingenuity outside the Grand Canyon include La Posada in Winslow, El Navajo in Gallup, New Mexico and La Fonda in Santa Fe, New Mexico. She also has her mark on the restaurant at The Los Angeles Union Passenger Terminal.

Colter died at age 88 on Jan. 8, 1958. T-shirts and stickers commemorating the 100th anniversary of Phantom Ranch can be found at shop.grandcanyonlodges.com. FBN

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Contributing Writers Betsey Bruner, Sue Marceau, Patty McCormac, Ray Newton, Kevin Schindler, Bonnie Stevens, Veronica Tierney, Stacey Wittig Flagstaff Business News is a publication of Flagstaff Business News, LLC and is distributed free each month to residents of Flagstaff, Sedona, Williams and Winslow. Reproduction of any portion of the publication is strictly prohibited without expressed permission. The publisher reserves the right to refuse any advertisements submitted to the newspaper and is not responsible for the claims of its advertisers.

APRIL 2022 // Flagstaff Business News

@flagstaffbusinessnews HOUSING continued from page 1

AT L I T T L E A M E R I C A H O T E L

Three bedroom, two bath homes in Flagstaff are commonly being bid up $200,000 above the listed price. Courtesy photo

“Now, it would probably go in the high $800s – a $200,000 increase in two years.” A home in Prescott’s Tenney Ranch sold for $589,000 in 2016. “It just went on the market for $1.2 million,” said Malouff. “This is what’s happened in pricing. And it’s not just new homes. An older home in Timber Ridge, built in the late ‘80s, was bought in 2015 for $289,000. It just sold for $639,000.” Those looking for a 2,500-square-foot home might expect to pay a million dollars, if not more, in desirable areas, says Nelson. In the North Scottsdale community of Terravita, a 2,400-square-foot home sold in February for $1,335,000. “The house had just sold for $1.1 million four months previous and the new owners did nothing to increase its worth,” stated a report from the Scott Gaertner Group. It’s largely because of supply and demand, says Nelson. “Right now, we’re looking at maybe a one- to two-month supply in most parts of Arizona. In the higher elevations, there’s less than a month’s supply of [available] real estate at any one time.” Currently, there are fewer houses on the market than there were last year, plus Arizona continues to feel the impact from The Great Recession when new construction nearly slowed to a halt. “Builders have been unable to get product out of the ground quick enough. It’s taking about twice as long to build a home as it did a few years ago,” said Malouff. “The pandemic caused more stress and strain on labor and materials. Builders are fighting for the same crews, and the cost of lumber and other commodities are all up.” Also, Millennials have arrived on the scene. “We didn’t think about the impact of that generation and that’s really what we’re seeing on a national level,” said Nelson. “The Millennial generation is as big as the Baby Boomers and we just did not plan for that many people entering the real estate market with new construction and building. The top end of the Millennial generation is about 40 years old.” In addition, short-term rentals have become a “market disrupter,” says Wickenburg Deputy Town Manager and Economic Development Director Tim Suan. “The short-term vacation market, including VRBOs, Airbnbs and turnkeys, only gained real popularity since 2015. What Uber did to the transportation industry is the same thing as what these short-term rentals are doing to the lodging industry as well as the housing market. Now, beautiful destinations such as the city of Page have hundreds of these short-term rentals in the community taking up housing stock. Just imagine that 25% or 30% of

housing in your community is just completely disappearing from the market in such a short amount of time!” Meanwhile, interest rates are expected to hover around 4% to 5% this year. All of this has complicated efforts to provide affordable housing in Arizona communities, which is impacting small businesses’ ability to attract and retain workers. Thus, the Arizona Association for Economic Development (AAED) calls affordable housing the No. 1 concern facing Arizona cities. Suan, who has held leadership roles with AAED, cites the Verde Valley region as a model for collaboration moving toward a sustainable solution. “Camp Verde, Cottonwood, Jerome and Sedona have formally partnered to address housing with shared resources. For example, Cottonwood and Sedona are both small communities but they partnered to hire a housing manager, which otherwise they wouldn’t be able to do on their own. With that housing manager, they are able to lead the implementation of some of their housing initiatives.” In addition, Cottonwood has a housing assistance program and Camp Verde has an inclusionary zoning plan to allow for more dense housing, he says. “They’ve even attracted a low-income, housing tax credit program developer inside the community.” At the same time, Wickenburg is creating a deed restriction program to keep homes affordable in perpetuity and Flagstaff is managing affordable rental units. “The city funds a home-buyer assistance program,” said Suan about Flagstaff. “They work closely with organizations like Housing Solutions of Northern Arizona to offer even more housing solutions.” While the sizzling real estate market shows no signs of cooling, Nelson expects a strong sellers’ market for at least the next three years. “We don’t see that there’s a change in the market. We don’t feel that there’s a bubble and there won’t all of a sudden be an influx of inventory.” However, he does not believe there will be as much of a spike in median home prices this year. “This is a good thing. We need to slow down, that’s for sure.” FBN For more about Arizona’s housing market, visit Zonie Living: Business, Adventure and Leadership with Bonnie Stevens at https://starworldwidenetworks.com/episodes/ lack-of-inventory-driving-real-estate-market-communities-seeking-housing-solutions-video.

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