INSIDE THE JUNE 2023 ISSUE: Babbitt Ranches Manages for Wildlife and Wind Farm p.3 Multiple Bids Continue for Flagstaff Homes p. 4 Joanne Keene Brings People Together in New Role
Getting Spacey in Downtown Flagstaff Meteor Crater opens science-themed store
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By Kevin Schindler, FBN
lagstaff has long been known as a center for scientific research and education, and now it has its own science-themed store, Planet Science. Launched by Meteor Crater and Barringer Space Museum, the retail outlet – complete with meteors in the air, NASA gear and a couple of visitors from outer space – opened Friday, May 19 and carries a wide variety of
science-themed items, including rocks and fossils, while also hosting interactive exhibits and a place for hands-on activities where people of all ages can learn about geology, astronomy and planetary science. Tucked into downtown Flagstaff at 109 N. Leroux St., Planet Science was the brainchild of Matt Kent, president and CEO of Meteor Crater Enterprises. “In working with science organizations around town and also
serving on the board of the Flagstaff Dark Skies Coalition, I realized there was this need for a science store downtown, a central hub that promotes the really great science we have here in Flagstaff.” About a year ago, Kent and his team began planning the store in earnest. Perhaps their biggest challenge was finding a suitable space from which to operate. They found the Leroux location to be ideal because it is conveniently located downtown and easy to access.
While Planet Science is a Meteor Crater operation, it will also involve other scientific partners around Northern Arizona. Lowell Observatory, for instance, has products in the store and customers will soon be able to purchase admission tickets to Lowell (Meteor Crater tickets are already available). “Lowell was the first to join and we look forward to engaging with more organizations that have science or space connections,” he said. Continued on page 35
Microsoft Giant Becomes a Lumberjack
p. 6
Boeing Works with NAU Engineering Students p. 8 Community Profile Josh McIver Cooks Up Hot Chicken p. 14 Expression Expert Brings Your Inside Out p. 18
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Bill Gates delivers commencement address to NAU graduates
A Bill Gates received a warm welcome from Louie and a Skydome of Lumberjacks who greeted him as one of their own. Courtesy photo
June 2023 | Issue 6 Volume 16
By Bonnie Stevens, FBN
lthough he may not go to work with an axe, computer software and hardware giant Bill Gates will forevermore be known as a Lumberjack. The Microsoft co-founder delivered a rare commencement address at Northern Arizona University on Saturday, May 13 and received his honorary doctorate. “I cannot wait to see how you will drive progress around the world,” Gates said to a Skydome full of excitement and regalia. Now retired from his global company, Gates left college after three semesters at Harvard to start Microsoft with his friend, Paul Allen. He has given only two commencement addresses previously, one at Harvard University and the other at Stanford University. “I believe more people should know about the tremendous value of an NAU education,” he said. “You are graduating from an institution that creates opportunity, fosters innovation and builds community, and it has prepared you to find solutions to some of the biggest problems facing us today.” Continued on page 27
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