INSIDE THE APRIL 2024 ISSUE: Pulmonary Patients Breathing Better with Numo p. 3 Mama B’s is Selling the Sizzle p. 4
NARBHA Grant Supporting Young People through United Way p. 16
Realtors Preparing for Changes p. 6
Wednesdays at the Weatherford Flagstaff’s storied past comes to life By Bonnie Stevens, FBN
W
hen Texas businessman John W. Weatherford opened the doors of his grand hotel, a Victorian marvel, among the shanties in downtown Flagstaff on the first day of the new year of the new century, he created volumes of interest from a cast of characters who were writing new chapters in the Arizona Territory.
Presidents, scientists, artists, ranchers, lumberjacks, those who maintained the law along with some who broke it, became hotel guests playing out colorful roles in Flagstaff’s early history. Those chapters are being shared and celebrated during Wednesdays at the Weatherford, 5-7 p.m., on the first Wednesday of each month in April, May and June, starting April 3. The free event, presented by Weatherford Hotel owners Henry Taylor
and Pamela “Sam” Green, is hosted in part by the Townsite Community Land Trust (TCLT), which renovates historic homes for affordable housing. “Learning about Flagstaff history adds quality to my life,” said TCLT Executive Director Duffie Westheimer. “When I see buildings and know who lived there and what they contributed to this place; when I know where the first Northern Arizona weather station was and who staffed it; when I learn about the local
Community Profile: Matthew Joseph Moves Mules, Supplies through Grand Canyon p. 12
materials used to build structures; my life is richer and I feel like I’m a part of the ongoing Flagstaff story.” Wednesdays at the Weatherford is free to the public and created out of a love for historic preservation and Flagstaff’s storied past, said Henry Taylor, who purchased the declining property in 1975. “I’ve always felt that Sam and I are curators of this beautiful building and to some degree, the memories it holds within its walls. Restoring the Weatherford Hotel has Continued on page 31
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GC Railway Honored as Flagstaff’s Green Business of the Year
T Grand Canyon Railway’s steam locomotive moves along the South Rim. Photo by Peter Corbett
April 2024 | Issue 4 Volume 17
By Peter Corbett, FBN
he Greater Flagstaff Chamber of Commerce has recognized Grand Canyon Railway as its Green Business of the Year. The recently presented award, now in its third year, recognizes local businesses and non-profits that reduce operational impacts on the environment. “We hear from our business community frequently about how much they’re doing to preserve our environment and keep our quality of life high here in Flagstaff,” said Julie Pastrick, Greater Flagstaff Chamber of Commerce president and CEO. That includes water conservation, lighting to protect the dark skies and recycling. “It’s really a joy to be in a community where environmental awareness is high and businesses care,” she said. Grand Canyon Railway “is a community asset that is treasured by so many,” said Pastrick, adding that not everyone is aware of the company’s environmental values.
It starts with Grand Canyon Railway reducing automobile traffic and emissions at Grand Canyon National Park. “By our numbers, it always fluctuates, but we believe we keep approximately 60,000 vehicles out of the national park by folks instead taking our train to Grand Canyon,” said Sam Langner, Grand Canyon Railway community relations manager. The Railway, owned and operated by the Xanterra Travel Collection, also retrofitted its steam locomotive in 2009 to operate on a mix of recycled vegetable oil and diesel fuel. The oil is collected from Xanterra’s restaurants at Grand Canyon and Williams. The mixture is 40% to 50% cleaner burning than diesel fuel alone and the 1930 locomotive’s exhaust has an aroma of French fries, earning it the nickname French Fry Express. “Wherever that idea came from, it’s just brilliant,” Pastrick said. The next big idea for Grand Canyon Railway Continued on page 28
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