What is EDC?

By Rob Wilson

In this increasingly unsafe world, we as individuals need to adjust our behaviors to better ensure the safety of ourselves and our loved ones. We first need to be “situationally aware” of our surroundings, actively observing what is going on around us and looking for possible threats. Threats can be very obvious, as a traditional bank robber would be, or they could be something much more subtle, like a van parked next to your car when there are only two cars in the entire parking lot. Avoiding conflict is always the best strategy to live your life by, but when that is no longer an option, you must be prepared!

Being prepared is where EDC comes into play. EDC, or Every Day Carry, is about what you have with you each day that better prepares you to address those threats that leave you no choice. Most folks agree that as a minimum, your EDC kit should include a reliable, properly holstered and accessible firearm and a flashlight. Let’s talk about each of these and the role they play.

When it comes to self-defense, any firearm is better than no firearm at all. You need to select one that you are comfortably able to carry concealed, that you can shoot accurately and that you’ll practice with on a regular basis. If you don’t already have one, go to a range and rent several different sizes, calibers and manufacturers’ handguns and find the one that fits you the best. If you’ve never shot before, take an introductory course so you’re comfortable with the safety rules and the basics of firearm handling before range testing. Once you’ve identified the proper firearm, you’ll need to get a holster that will allow you to carry it safely, which means it completely covers the trigger guard to prevent an accident and will work with your body type and clothing choices.

Depending on the capacity of your firearm, you may also choose to carry an additional magazine, which can be done in a variety of ways.

You may ask, “Why do I need to carry a flashlight?” The answer is two-fold. First, most defensive firearm events occur in less-than-ideal lighting conditions, and second, as the safety rule says, you must “always be sure of your target and what’s beyond it.” An EDC flashlight should be compact enough that you’ll carry it regularly but produce enough light that you can illuminate a completely darkened room. The good news is that you no longer need to spend hundreds of dollars on a great EDC flashlight. Since the advent of LEDs, the cost has come down and the illumination has gone up. One feature that’s a must-have is a tail-mounted activation switch. You’ll need to be able to turn it on and off with the thumb of your non-firing hand using that switch.

Finally, you should have access to a quality tourniquet and the training on how to use it. Have one in your home, one in your vehicle and one at work. Or, better yet, have one on your person. Free “Stop the Bleed” courses will teach you the proper time to use a tourniquet and the proper way to apply it. They are not just for the possibility of gunshot wound but are equally valuable for accidents around the house, on the trail or on the road.

Every person’s EDC kit will vary but yours should work for you and you should train regularly with it. Doing so will significantly improve your odds of surviving an otherwise tragic event.

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Rob and Elise Wilson own Timberline Firearms. Both their business and their home were in the Tunnel Fire evacuation zone. While their home suffered significant damage from the heat of the fire, they are extremely thankful that it was not lost.

NextEra officials said the 161-megawatt (MW) wind project featuring 50 wind turbines is on schedule. It is expected to begin delivering clean energy to SRP customers in early 2024.

Babbitt Ranches is known for its landscape-scale conservation practices and many projects conducted through the years with organizations such as the Arizona Game and Fish Department, Natural Resources Conservation Service, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, Arizona Mule Deer Foundation, Arizona Department of Transportation, Arizona State Land Department, the U.S. Forest Service, Northern Arizona University and many others.

Speaking at the WAFWA conference, Babbitt Ranches President and General Manager Billy Cordasco shared the land company’s philosophy. “For us, relationships are everything; it’s the meaning behind our actions that’s important; and what we do is bigger than ourselves. All of us in this room share that privilege and responsibility to be involved in projects that are bigger than ourselves.” FBN

Gates offered graduates five nuggets of advice he wished he had received.

1. LIFE IS NOT A ONE-ACT PLAY

“What you do tomorrow – or for the next 10 years – does not have to be what you do forever,” he said, noting that in his 20s he thought he would be working at Microsoft for the rest of his life. “Today, I still love my work on software, but philanthropy is my full-time job. I spend my days working to create innovations that fight climate change and reduce inequali- ties around the world – including in health and education,” he stated in his prepared notes.

2. YOU ARE NEVER TOO SMART TO BE CONFUSED Gates told graduates that at some point in their career, they will be facing a problem they cannot solve on their own. “When that happens, don’t panic. Take a breath. Force yourself to think things through. And then find smart people to learn from.”

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3. GRAVITATE TOWARD WORK THAT SOLVES AN IMPORTANT PROBLEM

Spending time doing something that solves a big problem, like climate change, Gates says, energizes people to do their best work. “New industries and companies are emerging every day that will allow you to make a living and make a difference, and advances in science and technology have made it easier than ever to make a big impact.”

4. DON’T

Underestimate The Power Of Friendship

Gates reminded graduates that the people they sat next to in class or skied with at Snowbowl are key to their future. “They are your network, your future co-founders and colleagues,” he said, noting his longtime friend Paul Allen, with whom he started Microsoft.

5

YOU ARE NOT A SLACKER IF YOU CUT YOURSELF SOME SLACK.

In his early days of Microsoft, Gates said he didn’t believe in vacations and pushed everyone around him to work very long hours. “Take a break when you need to. Take it easy on the people around you when they need it, too. And before you begin the next stage of your lives, take a moment and have some fun.”

In his blog prior to the commencement address, Gates called NAU an emerging leader. “Today, almost half of NAU’s nearly 30,000 students are people of color, many of them Hispanic or Native American. Most come from in-state, half are first-generation college students, and many come from low-income families. The school has long been an engine of mobility for such students – but in 2021, NAU President José Luis Cruz Rivera helped revitalize the school’s charter to make delivering equitable postsecondary value to students the top priority and goal. Then NAU made a number of changes to accelerate that progress.”

Cruz Rivera called it a privilege to honor Gates for his pioneering work in science and technology and for “his longstanding thought leadership and philanthropic commitment to creating a world where every person has the opportunity to live a healthy life and live up to their full potential.”

He added, “As NAU advances its mission to deliver equitable postsecondary value, we are honored to have the support of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation as we seek to ensure that the talent and aspirations of people in Arizona and beyond are met with the opportunity to realize economic mobility and social impact—shaping a brighter future for themselves and the communities they represent.”

Before leaving campus, Gates high-fived Louie the Lumberjack, cementing his initiation as one of NAU’s own. FBN

WASPy and principled. She had the fairest skin of anyone I’d ever seen – so white it was almost transparent. She was well known for her punctual neighborhood walks under her huge orange sun bonnet. That hat went with us everywhere and took up as much space in the back seat as another child. We didn’t like making room for the hat. Charlie stuffed it onto the ledge of the rear window.

Before my dad pulled up to the border, rolled down his window and spoke with the border guard, we were instructed to sit still and be quiet. We watched him answer “no sir” to all the usual questions like, “Do you have fresh produce,” as our cheeks were puffed to their limits with banana mash. When asked about fireworks, he explained that the kids had a few small firecrackers. We saw the guard shake his head and my dad instructed the boys to hand them over. My brother, Jeff, slowly pulled a strand of firecrackers out of his pocket and gave them up, bravely trying to hold back his massive disappointment while obediently chewing a mouthful of banana.

I remember giving him my sad banana face, as we drove into Arizona. That’s when smirking Charlie tapped me on the shoulder and nodded toward grandma’s big ugly orange hat. He lifted it ever so slightly to reveal the largest roll of firecrackers I had ever seen in my life. My eyes must have been as big as my puffed-out cheeks. I looked back at the border to make sure no one was chasing us down. That’s when the dam broke. The three of us in the back seat lost it and projectile banana mash laughter filled the air.

Laughter is contagious and Laughter

Yoga leaders like Olivia Vo believe we need more of it. She says the body can’t tell if our laughter is caused by an external force or if we are making ourselves laugh. “It’s all about self-activating your laughter,” she says. “You can practice laughter sounds like ho ho, ha ha, hee hee and laugh for no reason at all. You don’t need to wait to watch a movie or hang out with your friends to laugh. You can just initiate it yourself and the body is so appreciative.”

Olivia wears her joyful heart on her sleeve and also her face. Heart-shaped glasses are her calling card. She brightens rooms, warms up audiences and emcees events. She says we can all derive laughter’s health benefits instantaneously by taking a laughter break. Go ahead, pause, reset, swallow that banana mash and laugh with Olivia on Zonie Living. Watch now at https:// starworldwidenetworks.com/episodes/breathing-resetting-healing-with-laughter-yoga-leader-olivia-vo-video. FBN material reinforced with micro-carbon fibers, making it much stronger, more wear-resistant and lighter. In fact, the team got the weight of the final drone frame down to 2.2 pounds (the equivalent of a small rabbit or a prairie dog).

“This frame isn’t the type you can just buy off the shelf,” said Vogelsang, “it’s a really custom, specialized design.”

The student team was able to bring knowledge gained from four years of study, from engineering drawing to fluid and solid mechanics, to design calculations and implementations.

“It was a great experience for the students to work with an industrial partner,” said Eilaghi.

The team members made a visit to the Boeing facility in Mesa, where they presented their prototype to a panel of long-time Boeing engineers.

“The students really enjoyed their visit to Boeing,” Eilaghi said, “having that level of conversation, interacting with really experienced Boeing engineers made the project extremely educational and interesting for the students.”

The team members made a visit to the Boeing facility in Mesa, where they presented their prototype to a panel of long-time Boeing engineers. “The students really enjoyed their visit to Boeing,” Eilaghi said, “having that level of conversation, interacting with really experienced Boeing engineers made the project extremely educational and interesting for the students.”

Tip of the Month:

In turn, Nemec said that the students “impressed our entire engineering leadership team with the design, execution and testing that they were able to accomplish in just a few short months.”

Not only did the NAU team come up with a lighter frame, but they got the drone airborne, too. Nemec is delighted with the result. “She flies! Jacks always go the extra mile. I was so proud when I got to see it fly in person at the NAU Undergraduate Symposium.”

Currently, when mounted with a 360-degree field-of-view camera underneath the drone frame, and a 180-degree LiDAR sensor atop it, along with a few other essential items, the whole drone weighs in at 5.9 pounds (about the weight of an adult armadillo). The Boeing teams hopes to get the airframe even lighter in future iterations.

Although this was the first year that Boeing has done something like this, it certainly won’t be the last, according to Michael Vogelsang. “We will definitely do this kind of collaboration again and are already planning something with NAU for next year.”

NAU’s capstone projects have become an integral part of the university degree curriculum in recent years. They provide opportunities for students to conduct independent group research, develop practical skills and solve real world problems.

Some of the engineering students who graduated this semester already have received job offers in the aerospace industry. FBN goes through every room to declutter. “Removing excess furniture opens up the space. And cleaning is so important after decluttering – especially the windows, in order to capture the clearest, cleanest images of the forest that will be used to market the property.”

New paint is an inexpensive investment that can make a difference of thousands of dollars, she says. “It is absolutely transformational, the difference a fresh coat of paint can make on the exterior. In Flagstaff, we have a lot of brown. If you put a light color on the trim, you’ve got a brand-new looking house!”

Harrison recalls taking a client to a home that fit the description of what she was looking for and within budget, but the home was filthy and appeared to be neglected. “When we entered, we were surprised to see that it was very dirty, like grimy, where you don’t want to touch a light switch or doorknob. The wood deck was in decent shape but needed painting because they typically do every year or two. But, because it hadn’t been touched up, it appeared in sad shape like it could fall off the home. Because of the condition, my buyer was not interested at all, even though the size, budget and location fit her needs.”

As a result of buyer feedback, the seller dropped the price by $25,000. “It would have cost around $500 to get that home perfectly cleaned and around $4,500 to paint that deck, saving that seller $20,000. That’s why it is so important to prepare your home for sale. Get that money in your pocket and make the buyers happy.”

STRETCHING THE HOME-BUYING BUDGET

“I love working with first-time homebuyers. I think it’s a lot of fun. You get to help them on their journey as life changes drastically when you get into your first new home, and you start feeling those tax benefits and pride of ownership. I coach first-time homebuyers to consider looking a little outside the city limits, where their dollar can go a lot further. For example, I’m starting to see a lot more activity in Williams. We’re also seeing some really nice prices in Bellemont and Parks. I think because of the big winter that we had, some first-time homebuyers are looking in the Verde Valley. You can easily commute from Rim Rock to Flagstaff, where you are looking at less than a 45-minute commute and your dollar stretches a lot further.”

The New York Times recently reported that college graduates and others are leaving the country’s most expensive metropolitan areas like New York, Chicago and Los Angeles and moving to less expensive metro areas like Denver, Houston and Phoenix. The article also stated that more affordable cities are more desirable than they used to be.

“I think it all comes down to lifestyle,” said Harrison. “I had clients in town two weeks ago from Chicago and they were just simply looking for a different lifestyle, a slower pace. They do actually want to relocate to Phoenix and they already know that they want a vacation home here in Flagstaff. After COVID, a lot of people really evaluated what was important to them. And, especially with so many people being able to work virtually now, we’re seeing that influx definitely coming to Arizona from all different parts of the country and then from the Valley up to Flagstaff. We are seeing so many people that may have been dipping their toe in the water thinking about a vacation home who are saying, ‘I can work anywhere I want to now and I could live in Flagstaff, have a little bit of a slower pace of life and be outdoors.’ I really think it’s lifestyle and cost of living that’s attracting so many people to Arizona.”

Feeling The Love

Harrison is a believer in the love letter – the personal letter written to sellers by potential homebuyers describing how much they would appreciate and enjoy specific features about the home. “Buying and selling homes is an emotional process and really telling your story to connect with the seller, I believe it’s very helpful in the sales process.”

Recently, she had a client interested in a home that had 16 offers on it. “It’s a gorgeous home. The sellers remodeled and have enjoyed living there. Knowing how much the new owners will love the home made a difference when deciding what offer to accept.”

A Balancing Act

Harrison says buyers are coming to terms with higher interest rates, about twice what they were at their lowest point in recent years. For some buyers, that means they can afford a little less of a home now if they are taking out a loan. Nevertheless, she says, houses continue to sell in Flagstaff at a very fast pace.

After years in a sellers’ market,

Harrison says the Flagstaff real estate market appears to be more balanced. “In that sweet spot, where clean, maintained, attractive, move-in ready homes are priced at $600,000 or below, those homes are still receiving multiple offers, which is absolutely a sellers’ market on that end. When we are talking about homes priced over the $600,000 mark and where the home is not in movein condition, it’s more of a buyers’ market.” FBN

Lori Anna Harrison can be reached at Lori@ azdreamlifestyle.com. Hear more with Lori on Zonie Living, StarWorldwideNetworks. com/shows/bonnie-stevens.

Arizona University. She earned a bachelor’s degree in English and broadcast journalism and a master’s in public administration. She put her journalism skills to use with several internships at radio stations, including an internship for local broadcast personality Mitch Strohman on his morning show at KAFF radio and as a DJ at Sunny 97.

“My goal was to work in radio, but after doing an internship at the Arizona State Legislature, I caught the policy bug and moved into this arena,” she said. “I have used my degree for my work as a public information officer and several communication-related roles. I love to write and do my best to use my journalism to help tell the story of the organization.”

Keene begins her new position aware of the many challenges facing the city and dedicated to making a difference. “My skills are bringing people together to solve complex problems. The city’s staff and elected officials are forward-thinking and committed. I am truly grateful to work alongside them in this role and can’t wait to get started!”

Last year’s devastating wildfire season was at the heart of her decision to return to Flagstaff. “During my interview, I told a story about when the Pipeline Fire was burning in our community. I remember getting in my car to drive to Sedona to head to work and I could see the fire burning on the mountain through my rear-view

70 continued from page 18 cuts in clothing…make my heart beat a little faster.”

“So That’s What 70 Looks Like!” is designed to demonstrate the power of feminine leadership, reveal what aging can look like and not what it has to look like, show the difference between waiting and living, and illuminate how tough can be pretty.

“No matter what season of life you are in, you will find value in this book,” writes speaker, author and strategist Kathi Cooper Laughman. “There are so many mysteries in life. It’s important to be clear on what matters. The insights shared can help you with that. [The book is] the perfect balance of purpose and play as you discover your own steps in the dance.”

Through her book and in our closets, physically and virtually all over the world, Bobbie furthers her mission to help us feel great about ourselves; after all, she writes, to glow is not a lofty goal “because living well is our God-given right.” mirror. It was heartbreaking to leave a community I love and work and contribute in another community. This is one of the reasons I applied for the role. I want to contribute to the community where I live and that I love.”

“I think every single one of us is a celebrity. Every time you walk out your front door, that’s a red carpet. It’s another opportunity to say, ‘Here I am!’ So, if you regard it as that, it makes it fun,” she said. “When I work with clients, particularly those clients who are going to be on stage, on video, or going to do their website photographs and show their personality, the first time I meet with them is over the phone. No pictures.

Meanwhile, she acknowledges that her experience in Sedona was valuable for her work in Flagstaff, as both cities face similar issues. “Sedona is impacted by housing challenges and the impacts of short-term rentals. Sedona is always dealing with a large influx of visitors that has challenged local infrastructure. Both communities are having issues with workforce and ensuring there is housing for workers.”

She notes that both communities strive to manage the impact of wildfires and floods. “I’m really proud of the things the cities of Flagstaff and Sedona have done.”

Above all, she says, her work in government requires being a problem solver, a good listener, politically astute and willing to be flexible.

Keene’s earliest years were not spent in the United States. She was born in the United Kingdom and moved to the U.S. when she was 8. Her father, Brian, was an aerospace engineer and worked for Martin Marietta in New Orleans. The family, including her mother, Sheila, and her sister, lived in New Orleans for a few years before relocating to the Phoenix area, settling in Tempe. Two brothers still live in the UK.

I do no research. I don’t want to know anything about them. I just want to talk to them. And, I tell you, it is magical. If you listen, somebody will tell you exactly who they are and then it’s so easy to wrap them in their message.”

Pointing out that the average person spends 20 minutes a day deciding what to wear, her goal is to save people time, use what they already have and transform their image, which, she says, builds confidence and garners positive feedback. Through listening, intuition and her fashion sense, which stretches back to her New York City childhood sewing clothes for herself and her sister, Bobbie figures out each client’s individual style and puts together outfits they may never have considered before. In addition, she identifies accessories to enhance the wardrobe.

“We create a strategic shopping list so you know the right things to add, so no more of things hanging in your closet with tags on them. And you get ongoing support because you will never be in a situation where you don’t know what to wear, because I’ll be a phone call away.”

Whether you are applying for an important job, preparing for a TEDx Talk or practicing aerial dance on a beach, this expression expert is known to show up with the fierce determination of a gladiator (her inner male essence), to uplevel your wardrobe, boost your confidence,

Keene obtained her U.S. citizenship while in high school. Several years after graduating from NAU, a challenging offer presented itself. “I was given the opportunity to move to Washington, D.C., to work on Capitol Hill – which was always a dream of mine.”

She assisted two Arizona members and focused on working on behalf of Arizona, specifically, the rural parts of the state. “I worked on some major policy initiatives, including creating the authorization for the Ecological Restoration Institute at NAU, expanding Petrified Forest National Park, tribal water settlements and appropriations projects,” she said. “It has helped me understand how to navigate policy issues.”

While on Capitol Hill, she met her current husband, John Comer, who was born and raised there. They met through kickball. “After five years in D.C. and after some tough years with Sept. 11 and the anthrax threats, we decided to move West. It was not hard to convince him to move to Flagstaff in 2004.”

They were married shortly after relocating to Northern Arizona. The move to Flagstaff has been rewarding, she says, including her association with NAU.

“I love what NAU brings to this community through arts and culture, athletics and the vibrancy that students bring to our community. When I was first hired, I was asked to help with community relations. During this, I helped bridge relationships with the county and city, as well as create a neighborhood liaison position that is shared between City of Flagstaff and NAU. I’m proud of the work I did during this time and look forward to continuing this work when working for the City of Flagstaff.”

In her off time, Keene enjoys trail running with her husband, who works in finance for Coconino County, and their rescue dog, Mabel. “She came to us at 5 weeks old, injured after suffering a major bite and a broken jaw. Her name was Angel at the shelter because when she came in, they didn’t think she would make it through the night.”

The couple also loves to hike in the

Grand Canyon and around Flagstaff, especially on the Arizona Trail by Aspen Corner in the fall. Keene also loves to cook. “I love cooking because it allows me to finish something (a recipe),” she said. “In the jobs I have served, it’s rare to finish a project in a day. Cooking is the way I release my stress!”

She also loves how her career path has brought her back to her mountain town. “I love Flagstaff for so many reasons. The people in Flagstaff are friendly and caring. The community is innovative and supportive. It really feels like I’m coming home.” FBN enhance your presence and quite possibly, transform your outlook and your life.

“Confidence is an inside job. You can never get enough from the outside to fill you up, ever, and you’ll always be hunting for it. So, if you can fill up your own cup, so that it’s overflowing, then the rest comes naturally. Confidence to me is everything. I find it attractive. I think it’s sexy. Truly knowing who you are and loving who you are and liking the way you show up, that’s being in flow.” FBN

“So That’s What 70 Looks Like! The Essence of Aging Gracefully” is available on Amazon. Find out more about Casalino Lewis at https://bobbiecasalinolewis. com Meet her on Zonie Living: Business, Adventure and Leadership at https:/ StarWorldwideNetworks.com/shows/ bonniestevens.