July 2021

INSIDE THE JULY 2021 ISSUE: Lowell’s Expanding Universe p. 3 Keeping Walnut Canyon Village Dark p. 6 Western Tradition Gallops Back p. 8 Aesthetician Taylor Moody

Arizona’s Business Landscape Sees Explosive Growth T

By Theresa Bierer, FBN

he summer of 2021 is leading the record books for businesses relocating to Arizona, including semiconductor manufacturers, electric car makers and many other tech companies. While most relocations and expansions are happening in the Valley, Northern Arizona is also attracting companies. In east Flagstaff, the large former

Walgreens distribution is being remodeled by UACJ Automotive Whitehall Industries. The company specializes in electric car components for manufacturers including Tesla and Lucid Motors, which recently chose to expand on a 500-acre property in Casa Grande, south of Phoenix. “Arizona is now a leader in electric vehicle manufacturing,” said Gail Jackson, president and CEO of the Economic Collaborative of Northern

Arizona (ECoNA). “Once they are through their five-year plan, UACJ Automotive Whitehall Industries will be the largest new employer since the 1970s.” The company’s plans include building a new Flagstaff facility and hiring more than 300 people. Jackson, whose work includes supporting established local businesses, also regularly talks to executives from out of the area who are looking to relocate or expand operations. She recently

had inquiries from two smaller-scale semiconductor manufacturers, noting that interested parties think Flagstaff’s outdoor lifestyle would help them attract the workforce they need. While the pandemic has accelerated relocations by proving that work can get done anywhere, Jackson said the business migrations have been underway for several years. One catalyst is California’s notoriously high cost of

Restores Skin, Boosts Confidence p. 10 Community Profile: Jack Rodgers Keeps Livestock, Wildlife Watered p. 13 Honoring Women Leaders with Prescott Area ATHENA p. 16

PLEASE BE FIRE

AWARE

FIRE RESTRICTIONS IN EFFECT Open fire pits and flame devices are prohibited. The use of fireworks is prohibited. Forest closures in effect. WE’RE COUNTING ON YOU! DISCOVERFLAGSTAFF.COM

Continued on page 38

Arizona on Fire Major wildfires, drought conditions, record temperatures lead to forest closures and yet another challenge for mountain town businesses

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Babbitt Ranches’ historic Cedar Ranch is shrouded in smoke during the Slate Fire. The ranch house, barn and other structures have been in use since the late 1800s. Courtesy photo

July 2021 | Issue 7 Volume 14

By Bonnie Stevens, FBN

illy Cordasco and Ryan Butler sat on a hilltop behind Cedar Ranch and watched as the Slate Fire pushed its way east through juniper, pinyon and ponderosa pine forest from Highway 180 toward the historic ranch house, barn, wells and pipeline north of the San Francisco Peaks. Cordasco, president and general manager of Babbitt Ranches, is a fourth generation descendant of the original Babbitt brothers who started the ranching empire here in the late 1800s. Butler is a fire division supervisor for the Forest Service, called in from Montana. A small helicopter was being used to drop water on the fire front. But as the two men watched the blaze spot ahead of fire lines, areas that had been cleared of fuel like shrubs and trees, the plan changed. “I’d never seen juniper burn like that,” said Butler. “The masticator was masticating trees and they would burn. In Montana, it would take years for them to dry out and become flammable. Usually during the day in juniper, the fire dies down at night, but not in this case. Even with heavy equipment, we couldn’t get a line around the fire.” Continued on page 39

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Ceremoniously moving the first shovels full of dirt for the site are (left to right) Jim McCarthy, Michael Beckage, Jeronimo Vasquez, Wendy Rogers, Jeff Hall, Bill Ahearn, Susan Ahearn, Samantha Gorney, John Giovale, Ginger Giovale, Jamie Coffaro, Nancy Ball, Jeff Zemer, Austin Aslan. Photo by Kevin Schindler

Lowell Observatory Breaks Ground for World Destination Kemper and Ethel Marley Foundation Astronomy Discovery Center set to open in 2024

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By Kevin Schindler, FBN

owell Observatory’s vision for its education program is bold and simple: to be the premier public astronomy destination in the world. The observatory took a critical step toward achieving that goal on Saturday, June 26, by breaking ground on a 40,000-squarefoot, $37.5-million discovery center. The Kemper and Ethel Marley Foundation Astronomy Discovery Center (ADC) will be six times the size of Lowell’s current visitor facility and will accommodate greatly increased annual attendance to Lowell’s outreach programs. A few raindrops didn’t dampen the enthusiasm of the speakers or onlookers. The 60-minute ceremony included remarks by Flagstaff Mayor Paul Deasy, Coconino County Supervisor Jeronimo Vasquez and Arizona State Senator Wendy Rogers, followed by a ceremonial sod-turning. The Kemper and Ethel Marley Foundation is the lead sponsor of the ADC, and Trustee Nancy Ball spoke about how her colleagues’ love of astronomy drove the organization’s support of the project. “This project will inspire and educate people of all ages, for generations to come, on the beauty and wonder of astronomy,” she said. Lowell Observatory Sole Trustee W. Lowell Putnam echoed this passion for the universe and the inspiration it generates. “Percival Lowell spoke of the importance of ‘co-discovery,’ that scientists should communicate what they find in ways that excite and engage others,” he said. “The new ADC will allow us to share our research and understanding of the universe with visitors in a unique and inspiring way.” “Lowell Observatory embodies the soul of Flagstaff,” said Mayor Deasy. “Flagstaff is STEM City. Flagstaff is the world’s first Dark

Skies City. Flagstaff is a pillar of education in the state.”

KEY FEATURES

The Universe Theater is an immersive, interactive experience where live presenters will lead guests on a journey through space against the backdrop of a two-story, 165-degree main screen and 30-foot overhead screen. The Dark Sky Planetarium is located on top of the three-floor ADC and will use Flagstaff’s famously dark skies as a natural dome. Coconino County Supervisor Jeronimo Vasquez addressed the importance of dark skies, saying, “Coconino County is committed to dark skies, and we want future generations to also be able to enjoy the skyline the way we do and the stars the way we do.” The Curiosity Zone is an exhibit hall designed specifically for children, to encourage their natural curiosity about science and math with hands-on experiments such as a rocket-launching station. The Diverse Universe Exhibit is designed to inspire children to see themselves as future scientists by showing the human side of scientists from around the world – their unique life stories, challenges they have overcome and more. Just as no two planets, stars or galaxies are alike, neither are the people who study them. W. L. Gore & Associates is the sponsor of the Diverse Universe Wall. “Sponsorship of the Diverse Universe Wall dovetails nicely with Gore’s STEM community focus in Flagstaff, as well as our focus on diversity, equity and inclusion. We believe diverse views, ideas and people help strengthen our Enterprise and our ability to innovate and improve lives across the globe,” said Gore Northern Arizona Community Relations Leader Jana Kettering. In speaking about the importance of the Continued on page 34

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Flagstaff Business News // JULY 2021 flagstaffbusinessnews.com

Sedona Film Festival Inspires, Entertains, Touches Lives, Attracts Thousands By Bonnie Stevens, FBN

ALS into a weapon with humor and joy to overcome the disease to make a better world for his son.” he entertainment industry “Any musician, any writer, any brings us beauty, makes us filmmaker is ultimately making think and laugh, and touches our hearts. The 27th Sedona Interna- something to help people feel, to go through an experience,” said Siegel tional Film Festival, June 12-20, did as he discussed “Grace and Grit,” his just that with more than 180 films, film about Treya Killam Wilber who from documentaries to feature films was dying from cancer, and the inand animated shorts, and special tense and committed love she and her celebrity appearances and perforhusband, author Ken Wilber, shared mances. through the disease. Siegel said he Some movies were streamed to wanted to express the “urgency to ticket holders and others were featured before a live, socially-distanced love” that he found underscored in the original book, “Grace and Grit,” audience, like “Perfumes,” which brought a collective sigh of relaxation by Ken Wilber. Spiritual leader and 2020 presidenwith scenes from France’s picturtial candidate Marianne Williamson esque countryside. shared the stage with Siegel to bring Directors like Nicholas Bruckman attention to the disease of cancer, with “Not Going Quietly,” and Sewhich she says kills 600,000 Ameribastian Siegel with “Grace and Grit” shared heartbreaking and inspiration- cans a year. “I have worked a lot with al stories about people who make the people who have been diagnosed with life-challenging illnesses and one of most of living while facing debilitating and life-threatening illnesses such the things I’ve seen repeatedly is that in the first five minutes, you just drop as ALS and cancer. so many layers of seemingly mean“When I sat down with Ady,” said Bruckman about attorney and activist ingless preoccupations and things get very real and very exquisitely noble Ady Barkan, the central figure of the and intelligent very quickly.” documentary, “he had his shirt off, Legendary costume designer Bob he just had no sense of pity and was the funniest guy I ever met. He has an Mackie flew in to take the audience on an elaborate sequined and amazing attitude and has turned his

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feathered stroll through the decades with his designs for Diana Ross and the Supremes, The Carol Burnett Show, Cher, Elton John, P!nk and many many others in between. In a question and answer session with the audience, he left this style tip: “Just be yourself!” American classical violinist Elizabeth Pitcairn performed at the Sedona Performing Arts Center (SPAC) with the actual mysterious, unique and historic 1720 Stradivarius violin nicknamed the “Red Mendelssohn,” which was the inspiration for the Academy Award-winning film “The Red Violin,” also shown during the festival. “To me, it’s something that I’m incredibly fortunate to have and I feel a responsibility to do something Legendary costume designer to the stars, Bob Mackie, received a Lifetime important with it to the best of my Achievement Award from the Sedona International Film Festival, presented by Artistic Director Patrick Schweiss on stage at the Sedona Performing Arts Center. ability,” she said. Courtesy photo The one-of-a-kind instrument, valued between $15 million and $25 million, will one day be sold with her $4 million in revenue for Sedona and that donate hundreds of room nights and restaurateurs who host recepestate, with proceeds benefiting chari- local businesses and attracts 12,000 tions. FBN ties as the instrument’s centuries-old attendees, more than half of whom are from out of town, says Sedona journey lives on. “It will pass from International Film Festival Artistic my hands to future generations.” Director Patrick Schweiss. Northern The event, usually held in late Arizona businesses and organizations February, ran from June 12-20, as make the event possible through it was postponed because of the pandemic. It typically generates about sponsorships, including local hotels

JULY 2021 // Flagstaff Business News

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Andrea Michaels says shielded lights and amber bulbs around Laurel Lake have made a clear difference in the dark sky experience. Photo by Bonnie Stevens

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Neighborhood Sets Example for Soft, Focused Light and Dark Starry Skies Walnut Canyon Village replaces glaring porch lights with shielded fixtures

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By Bonnie Stevens, FBN

vid hiker Andrea Michaels has long enjoyed watching the Perseids meteor showers from the banks of Laurel Lake, a duck pond on the edge of Walnut Canyon Village in east Flagstaff. However, her view is even better now, she says, because community members have largely changed their outdoor light fixtures to meet dark-sky standards. “If you’re a camper or a backpacker, one of the greatest thrills when you’re out is looking into the endless depths of the universe,” she said. “It was frustrating when I would walk around the lake looking for a dark spot to see the stars because your eyes adjust for the bright lights and you can’t see as much. It’s a darker community now than it was.” A few years ago, Michaels attended a “Let There Be Night” forum at the Museum of Northern Arizona. She was concerned when she heard that, despite Flagstaff’s status as the First International Dark Sky City, light pollution continues to threaten the darkness of the night. She also learned that, even though Flagstaff and Coconino County have strong lighting ordinances, poor lighting fixtures

and bright, white LEDS were frequently being installed, which degrade night skies. Those in attendance broke into groups that came up with recommendations for ways to push back against the loss of dark skies. Michaels took the ideas to heart and brought them home. “Some of us had never even heard of a dark sky lighting project, which surprised us because the community’s been here for more than 30 years,” said Walnut Canyon Village Home Owners’ Association Treasurer Gordon Jacobson. “The HOA is responsible for the front lights [that illuminate the street address] on each home in the community. We took it upon ourselves to look into what it would take to replace the original coach-style lights.” The community’s Beautification Committee, made up of Michaels, Pat Monroe and Bill Auberle, began researching fixtures and working with Chris Luginbuhl, board chair of the Flagstaff Dark Skies Coalition (FDSC). That led to connections with APS and HomCo Lumber and Hardware. HomCo Contractor Salesman Jonathan Whiteley worked with the community to find fixtures recommended by FDSC that shield and Continued on page 35

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JULY 2021 // Flagstaff Business News

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A Return to Tradition By Bonnie Stevens, FBN

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s Babbitt Ranches honors 135 years of operations in Northern Arizona, the Annual Hashknife Colt Sale is scheduled to be live and in-person again at Spider Web Camp, about 30 miles north of Flagstaff off Highway 89, on Saturday, July 10. Arizona’s largest privately owned working cattle ranch was unable to host the popular tradition last year because of the pandemic. Clay Rodgers, 40, who became ranch manager in March, says the Colt Sale is especially meaningful to him because he was born and raised on Babbitt Ranches at Wupatki Camp. He says he has been hearing from ranchers and equestrians from Arizona and outside of the state who are also excited about the event and the colts, all registered with the American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA). “We’ve been talking to a group of guys from Mexico who want to start a horse brand,” said Rodgers, which he notes is not uncommon. Babbitt horses have a worldwide reputation for being solid all-around ranch horses with “cow sense” that can work long days and maneuver across rough, rocky terrain. Rodgers

says they have speed, looks, ability and a good disposition. “The majority of the horses are used for rodeos and ranching,” he said. “A lot of people like that Driftwood breeding.” Driftwood, nicknamed “Speedy,” is a household name among seasoned cowboys. He was a legendary rodeo champion born near Silverton, Texas, in 1932, and inducted into the American Quarter Horse Hall of Fame in 2006. Babbitt Ranches has developed its successful American Quarter Horse breeding program largely from descendants of the Driftwood lineage. Twenty-three colts and fillies, which can sell for more than $8,000, are expected to be at the auction. Longtime Colt Sale auctioneer Ron Berndt will be overseeing the spirited bidding, which he has done for 20 years. Babbitt Ranches President and General Manager Billy Cordasco is preparing for more than 400 visitors. “This is always a wonderful gathering with our extended Babbitt Ranches community,” he said. “For Babbitt, it’s not about buying and selling horses, but about being grateful for the opportunity to be together and seeing the efforts that have been made through the years reflected in these extraordinary animals.”

Driftwood fans, cowboys and equestrians plan for the time-honored Annual Hashknife Colt Sale, held at Babbitt Ranches’ Spider Web Camp for more than two decades. Photo by Bonnie Stevens

Babbitt Ranches horses carry the iconic Hashknife brand. A “hash knife” is a kitchen tool used for making beef hash. It has a half circle steel blade, attached to a wooden handle, that is rocked back and forth

across cooked beef to create hash. But the brand symbolizes the days of the Wild West in American history. It originally belonged to the Aztec Land & Cattle Company, which operated in Northern Arizona from 1884 to

1902. It later became the property of the Babbitt family. FBN

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JULY 2021 // Flagstaff Business News

Wildfire preparation protects you, the community and first responders. Together, we can be prepared for wildfire season. Providing safe, reliable energy is our top priority. That’s why we work year-round to prepare for wildfires. These extra precautions could result in longer than usual outage times. For example, our crews will visually inspect lines before restoring power, or power lines may be temporarily taken out of service to protect firefighters. Working together, we will be prepared. Here are some things you can do: • Clear vegetation around your home and throw trash away properly. • Sign up for local emergency alerts and visit wildlandfirersg.org to create a preparedness plan. • Visit aps.com/outagecenter or use the APS mobile app to view our outage map, sign up for text and e-mail alerts, plus find outage preparedness tips.

Downed Power Lines Stay at least 100 feet away and call 911 first, then APS at (602) 258-5483 (metro Phoenix) or (800) 253-9408 (other areas).

Please visit aps.com/wildfiresafety for more information.

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Business Woman FBN

Face Forward Allure Aesthetics AZ owner Taylor Moody is all about clear, healthy skin By V. Ronnie Tierney, FBN

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any of us wouldn’t know the difference between an aesthetician and an esthetician, but there is a clear distinction, and Allure Aesthetics AZ owner Taylor Moody is eager to explain. As Lead Master Aesthetician, Moody stated that aesthetics specializes in medical skin treatments and estheticians are more holistic, performing mostly cleansing and cleaning procedures. “At Allure Aesthetics AZ, skin is our passion, specifically mine,” said Moody. “No matter what your skin condition – rosacea, acne, dark spots, wrinkles, anti-aging preventative skin care – we give treatment plans to give our clients confidence from the inside out and we craft a treatment plan to allow for youthful skin.” Born and raised in Flagstaff, Moody said she was never a “skin guru” in high school. “I didn’t even know there were ways to treat or care for skin,” she said. “It was one of those things I started doing and knew immediately I was meant to do it. It felt so natural.”

With a scholarship to the University of Arizona, Moody’s intentions were to study pre-med with a possible future in dermatology, but she abandoned that path and set her eyes on Utah, where she obtained a license in Medical Aesthetics at the National Institute of Medical Aesthetics (NIMA). She graduated top of her class. “I wanted to be more hands-on with the skin,” said Moody, who at one time struggled with acne. “That encouraged me to learn for myself how I can treat it. Today, I dedicate 90% of my time on my acne program. We’re able to treat it in about three to four months.” Moody says she sees her acne clients about every other week and uses gentle and corrective chemical peels plus a home routine. “We prescribe a morning and evening customized skin care regime for our clients that is totally for their specific skin needs,” she said. “We also execute sensitivity tests to be sure all products are comfortable with our clients’ skin, ensuring there are no irritations or side effects. Our whole philosophy is to take time to get to know the root cause of skin concerns, such as diet, medications, hormones, cosmetics and work life.” “Taylor is a miracle worker,” said T3 Construction Co-owner, Jennifer Thompson. “I’ve battled acne since

of the Month

Allure Aesthetics AZ owner Taylor Moody treats clients for a number of skin concerns, including acne, rosacea, dark spots and wrinkles. Photo by V. Ronnie Tierney, Fresh Focuses Photography

middle school. I tried everything over the years, from antibiotics, birth control pills and elimination diets, even Accutane. It was very humiliating to have these skin issues that are so visible. I felt hopeless, but

Aesthetician Taylor Moody, shown here with her team client coordinator Jenna Ray and aestheticians Katie Manross and Sydney Swanson, strives to give people of all ages youthful skin and confidence. Photo by V. Ronnie Tierney, Fresh Focuses Photography

my husband encouraged me to go to Allure Aesthetics AZ. Taylor made me feel comfortable and normal. She explained the treatment process clearly and sent me home. Within a few months, my face was smooth and clear, and I now have the youthful skin that I never had in my teens and 20s. She is incredible.” Allure Aesthetics AZ also specializes in laser hair removal, utilizing the Motus AY, Europe’s top aesthetic laser manufacturer. “This system is fast, effective and totally comfortable,” said Moody. “Meeting Taylor has been the best thing that has happened to me,” said Flagstaff resident Vanessa Villaverde. “During the pandemic, I gave birth to my daughter and needed a postpartum ‘pick me up’ and social outing to boot. Allure Aesthetics AZ was the perfect escape for me. Her entire staff was very knowledgeable and skilled. I particularly like getting Allure’s lash lift for an instant makeover. I’ve also had great results with their painless laser hair removal. Needless to say, I’m a big fan!” At 23 years old, Moody says her parents, who own Mammoth

Restoration in Flagstaff, spawned her entrepreneurial spirit. “My parents gave me a lot of guidance and helped me to feel empowered to start my business. I also knew that Flagstaff was desperate for more skincare options.” Both Moody and her long-time boyfriend, Garrett Reinoso, who owns Wicked Welding, like to spend their free time at Lake Powell and archery hunting for elk and deer. Spending time with family and friends is also a priority for Moody. “My brother is in the military, serving in the Army as a military policeman. He is based out of Colorado Springs, so we try to visit often.” FBN

For more information about Allure Aesthetics AZ, visit allureaestheticsazflagstaff.com or call 928-864-5192.

JULY 2021 // Flagstaff Business News

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// MAYOR’S ADDRESS // BY PAUL DEASY

Serving, Protecting Flagstaff

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e have gotten a lot done at City Hall that I’m excited to share. We recently passed the final budget, which, among many things, included funding for a fully functioning alternative policing crisis response for three years, whereby a medic and social work professional will respond to 911 calls that are not criminal in nature. Calls for a mental health crisis, homelessness, public intoxication, etc., will now be diverted as appropriate to this alternative

response team, reducing the call volume for police and allowing them to focus more on criminal issues in our community. For the first time ever, $1.4 million was allocated to expand our broadband internet infrastructure, which, with matching grant funds, will give us a big start to fulfilling our Broadband Master Plan. One great part about this large investment is that we have a huge opportunity to turn it into a new revenue stream

for the city that we’ve never had before. Other cities have been able to lease out their broadband conduit and fiber to private companies and other government agencies, and are seeing a return on investment while providing economic opportunities to constituents. With the final vote of the budget, we increased pay for the average City of Flagstaff staff member by 3.5%, and were able to make an especially important increase to our firefight-

// For the first time ever, $1.4 million was allocated to expand our broadband internet infrastructure, which, with matching grant funds, will give us a big start to fulfilling our Broadband Master Plan. One great part about this large investment is that we have a huge opportunity to turn it into a new revenue stream for the city that we’ve never had before. Other cities have been able to lease out their broadband conduit and fiber to private companies and other government agencies, and are seeing a return on investment while providing economic opportunities to constituents. //

ers’ pay, with an average of a 5.9% raise. As they protect our community from the existential threat of fire, we must do more than speak words of gratitude, and I am happy that our city leadership and City Council put our money where our mouths are in this regard. We will be going back to in-person City Council meetings shortly with some added benefits. Public participants will be able to speak in person or still call in. Additionally, closed caption has now been funded and will be available through the live stream so that community members who are deaf or hard of hearing have greater access to participate and know what we are up to as an elected body. I want to thank the dozens of volunteers who showed up to rake and haul pine needles out of our city neighborhoods and our surrounding community during the threat of the Rafael Fire. Our community really stepped up. On Saturday, June 26, pine needles and green waste were removed from 25 homes of those in need in Kachina Village. This was done also

on Thursday, June 24, where dozens helped to clear out the University Heights neighborhood. Thank you to the Northern Arizona Covenant of Churches, the Community Fire Education Project, all the city and county staff, and all the individual volunteers who helped clear out areas that were expected to be in the line of fire. As I conclude, I just want to give my heartfelt thanks to our firefighters. You risk your lives and well-being to protect us, and I am grateful we have the best people on the job to defend Flagstaff. Stay safe and Godspeed. FBN Facebook: facebook.com/Deasy4Flagstaff Twitter: @Deasy4Flagstaff Instagram: instagram.com/mayordeasy Paul Deasy is the mayor of Flagstaff.

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// BUSINESS CENTS // BY BONNIE STEVENS

Life’s ‘Best Used By’ Date is Now

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umans are creative and resourceful, but sometimes it takes a transformative event to get us motivated. In the new movie “Grace and Grit,” featured at the Sedona International Film Festival, filmmaker Sebastian Siegel and spirituality guru and former U.S. presidential candidate Marianne Williamson visited Sedona to discuss how deeply focused people can become when death is staring them down. The movie is an adaptation from Ken Wilber’s book with the same name. His wife, Treya Killam Wilber, was diagnosed with cancer 10 days after they were married. Their honeymoon was spent in the hospital. Sebastian said he wanted to capture the “urgency to love” that spoke to him so loudly in the book. “We all have to confront our mortality at some juncture or other. And I think any great love story, whether it’s Titanic or Grace and Grit or Love Story or Romeo and Juliet, the confrontation of that mortality and the recognition that we only have an instant left sometimes gives us the courage to appreciate life more deeply.”

Marianne has worked with many people who have been diagnosed with life-challenging illnesses. “One of the things I’ve seen repeatedly is that in the first five minutes, you just drop so many layers of seemingly meaningless preoccupations and things get very real and very exquisitely noble and intelligent very quickly. One of the things I thought about Ken and Treya, on one hand, the tragedy of the story is that she died; on the other hand, the profound love of the story was brought to the fore because she was dying.” Mena Suvari plays Treya in the film, but Sebastian chose to let the audience hear Treya in her own words. “Because I can no longer ignore death,” she said, “I pay more attention to life.” Sebastian wants audiences to “experience” the story of a passionate, romantic, selfless, courageous and transcendent love. He recognizes this “as a reference point for what’s possible in love, for what’s possible for us, how we can transform and become more for each other and through each other.” In “A Course in Miracles,”

Marianne Williamson discusses love and fear. In stressful times, it’s so easy to go the way of fear, but that’s exactly when Marianne suggests we escort fear right out the door. “As we change our thoughts, we can change our world. In the realm of thought, there are two main categories: thoughts of love and thoughts of fear. Every single moment, we choose between the two. If I think with love, then I am more likely to behave lovingly and to attract love from others,” she writes. What Marianne has been telling us for years and what Sebastian demonstrates in the movie is that we have great capacity to be more present and give of ourselves more completely to things that matter. COVID-19 has shown us this as well. Life is precious, time is precious. If we live aware of the beautiful gift of time and life, which comes with an expiration date, we may find its “best used by” date is now. FBN Bonnie Stevens is a public relations consultant. She can be reached at bonnie.stevens@ gmail.com.

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// COMMUNITY PROFILE // BY BONNIE STEVENS, FBN

American Cowboy Keeps Northern Arizona’s Thirsty Rangeland Watered Jack Rodgers celebrates 38 years on Babbitt Ranches

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f Jack Rodgers’ life had a theme, it would be all about water. On the night this fourth generation cowboy was born, Sept. 23, 1955, the rains came: 17 inches in the little city of Rotan, Texas, near Sweetwater, marking the end of a devastating drought. “I remember my dad talking about the bad drought in Texas that happened in the early ‘50s. It was so bad, they would take propane burners and burn the needles off prickly pear so the cattle could eat the cactus for moisture,” said Rodgers. Nearly 66 years later, Rodgers’ daily activities revolve around water. “People keep telling me the rains are going to start and I can stop hauling water, but it just hasn’t been raining like that,” he said. As Northern Arizona continues to

be in the grips of an extreme drought, Rodgers spends every day, Monday through Saturday and often Sunday, loading and reloading a water truck and driving it to water tanks across Babbitt Ranches’ 750,000 acres. “Years ago, you could get your work done and still have time to go visit. But with the horrible drought, you start at 5 a.m. and don’t get home until 7 or 7:30 in the evening. I had guys helping me, too, who would fall in where they could but everybody is busy moving cattle.” Gallon by gallon, Rodgers has been moving water for the past four years. “This is the second really bad year in a row. There’s no surface water. We have to haul in every drop. Dirt catchments will catch rain or snow, but we just haven’t been having that, not enough to replenish water in the dirt tanks.” From May 1 to the second week of October 2020, Rodgers worked long days. He took only four days off and Continued on page 36

Jack and Lori Rodgers, shown here at Babbitt Ranches’ Annual Hashknife Colt Sale in 2019, have been married for nearly 37 years, living the ranch life and raising their children to care for the land, the animals and each other, “and walk each day with the Lord,” said Lori. Courtesy photo

Meet Your Local Banking Experts: Tim Dodt Senior Director, Commercial Banking tdodt@alliancebankofarizona.com (928) 214-3402 Sherra Lyon Vice President, Commercial Banking slyon@alliancebankofarizona.com (928) 214-3410

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Alliance Bank of Arizona, a division of Western Alliance Bank. Member FDIC. Western Alliance ranks top ten on Forbes’ Best Banks in America list five years in a row, 2016-2020.

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Flagstaff Business News // JULY 2021 flagstaffbusinessnews.com

2321 N. Fourth St. Flagstaff, AZ 86004 (928) 526-5691 crestins.com

Flagstaff’s Digital Employee Benefits Consultants HR Services & Solutions Customized • Online Benefits Platform • Voluntary Benefit Marketplace • New Hire On-Boarding System • On-Line Enrollment Technology • Open Enrollment Solutions

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Kevin Kahn, primary instructor for the Flagstaff CDL program, and Maggie Blancarte, CDL program admissions coordinator, are inviting anybody curious about the program to the CCC Fourth Street campus, 3000 N. Fourth St. Individuals can hop in a truck, take a look around, get a feel for it and see if driving a truck might be a good career fit. Photo by Larry Hendricks

Commercial Driver’s License Training Gets Rolling at CCC

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By Larry Hendricks, FBN

afety inspections. Figuring out 13 gears while double clutching. Backing a 53-foot trailer. All very important, among a host of other important skills, to successfully driving a semi, which is why a commercial driver’s license is required to operate one. Last month, Coconino Community College began offering a Commercial Driver’s License Training program for people interested in driving semis for a living. “CCC is so pleased to partner with HDS Trucking, Inc. and the Phoenix Truck Driving School to offer CDL training for pathways to employment,” said CCC Extended Learning Executive Director Kay Leum. “CCC worked over the last several years to find the right approach to offer this important career training. HDS Trucking developed a very successful program in Kingman through Mohave Community College, and that success made the decision to partner easy.” Maggie Blancarte, admissions coordinator for the program, said that the course lasts four weeks and covers 160 hours of instruction to test for the Class A CDL. A Class A covers all larger vehicles up to 18-wheelers. “The demand for truckers is extremely high, and it opens a lot of doors to say you have a Class A CDL,” Blancarte said. The first week is completed online and covers all elements necessary for students to receive a permit to drive a truck. Once students receive the permit, they can begin the training in and around the vehicle, said Kevin Kahn, primary instructor for the Flagstaff program. “This is not an easy course,” he added. “You need to study and work hard, just like anything in life.”

After getting their permits, the students will be going over the truck from the outside to the inside in order to learn all the safety, maintenance and operational features before ever starting it up and getting behind the wheel, Kahn said. Once they learn all pre-trip skills, they will begin working on yard skills of backing up and parallel parking. The third step will be to take the semi out on the road. Students will all be learning this together so that they can learn from one another. “All this is about safety and to know what they are doing,” Kahn said. The course is designed very much like the actual CDL test, which is administered in three parts – pre-trip, yard skills and the road test. Once students pass all three parts with the Arizona Motor Vehicle Division, they receive their Class A CDL and can start looking for careers. Kahn added that his team works hard to make sure that the students have job prospects before they complete the class and work on passing the test at the MVD. When students apply, they also fill out a “pre-hire” form, which is sent to local companies interested in drivers. The CCC program also offers Class B CDL training, which covers working vehicles like cement mixers, delivery trucks and dump trucks that do not have a trailer. FBN For more information about the CDL program at CCC, visit the Phoenix Truck Driving School’s website at flagstaffcdl.com. For more information on CCC’s courses, degrees and certificates, visit coconino.edu.

JULY 2021 // Flagstaff Business News

@flagstaffbusinessnews FBO-Drive-Safely-HALF-FBN-AD.pdf

Keeping the Buzz Going for Pollinators

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By Misti Warner-Andersen

here was an important week-long celebration last month that you might have missed. Tucked in between the new federal Juneteenth holiday and the 4th of July is Pollinator Week, an international event to spread the word about bees, birds and butterflies and their importance to all of us. How important are they? It’s estimated that more than 85% of Earth’s plant species require pollinators to exist. One out of every three bites of food you consume comes from plants made possible by honeybees and other pollinators. In fact, blueberries and cherries are 90% dependent on honeybees, while almond crops depend entirely on the honeybee at bloom time. Unfortunately, bee populations have been on the decline for years. In 2006, scientists identified “colony collapse disorder.” The disappearance of bees has been linked to certain pesticides, parasites and shrinking native habitat. Climate change has also disrupted native species around the world, resulting in more than half a dozen native U.S. bee species being placed on the endangered species list. Because of this, protecting existing colonies and increasing their habitat has become a worldwide priority – and it’s one you can easily participate in from your own Northern Arizona backyard. Here are some ways you can help bees and other pollinators from your garden: N Create habitats for pollinators by supplying necessary water, food, shelter and places to raise their young.

N Plant in clumps, as clustering plants makes them easier to find and shortens the need for travel, reserving the energy of backyard pollinators. N Plant a section of native plants and wildflowers to increase nectar and pollen sources for butterflies and bumblebees. N Choose a variety of plants that will bloom in rotation throughout the growing season. N Choose a variety of colors and shapes, as different pollinators are attracted to different types. N Build or purchase a bee condo or leave dead trees or limbs for nesting habitats. N Plant where bees will visit, such as sunny spots with some shelter, versus shady areas. N Use only bee-friendly pesticides. Most organic products are not harmful to bees. Warner’s locally grown native plant selection, as well as all the other quality plants from our nursery, will provide multiple food sources for all those buzzing bees and other pollinators. Here’s just a partial list of plants that will keep bees busy and your yard looking lovely, too: Asters, Basil, Black-eyed Susan, Caryopteris, English Lavender, Globe Thistle, Goldenrod, Honeysuckle, Marjoram, Purple Coneflower, Rhododendron, Rosemary, Sage, Snowberry, Sunflower, Trumpet Vine, Wild Lilac and Zinnia. If you have any questions about setting your garden abuzz and making it a home for our oh-so-important pollinators, our experts at Warner’s would be happy to help. Happy gardening! FBN Misti Warner-Andersen is the manager of Warner’s Nursery & Landscape Co., located at 1101 E. Butler Ave. in Flagstaff. To contact Warner’s Nursery, call 928-774-1983.

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Nominations Being Accepted for Prescott ATHENA FBN and Prescott Woman Magazine team up to honor extraordinary women

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By Bonnie Stevens, FBN

he late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg was beyond bright, fiercely determined and a tireless champion in the battle for women’s rights. She also was a recipient of the ATHENA Leadership Award, which honors exceptional individuals who have achieved professional excellence, contributed time and energy to improve the quality of life for others and helped individuals – particularly women – realize their full leadership potential. Bringing the spirit of the ATHENA program here, Quad Cities Business News and Prescott Woman Magazine will be shining the spotlight on exceptional women who work, serve and inspire others during the 2nd Annual Prescott Area ATHENA Award celebration, 4-6 p.m., Sunday, Sept. 19, at Goods from the Garden. “The Prescott Area ATHENA High Tea will be an afternoon of camaraderie, inspiration and networking,” said Prescott Woman owner/publisher Breeanya Hinkel. “The response

from the community has truly been an outpouring of excitement and support.” Last September, in a small outdoor event, FBN and Prescott Woman announced Diane DeLong as the first Prescott ATHENA. “Since receiving the ATHENA award, I have learned even more about the connection it provides to women throughout the world through their achievements in business, community service and the professional advancement of women,” said DeLong, the senior program manager for North Star Youth Partnership. “It is proof that we can, and must, all do something to inspire other women to reach their full potential.” “Business leadership is about hard work, perseverance and dedication, but it is also about celebrating important moments and acknowledging extraordinary efforts,” said FBN owner/publisher Troy Bix. “All of us owe a great deal of gratitude to women who have pushed through barriers with strength and grace, assisted and encouraged others along

FBN writer Theresa Bierer and Prescott Woman Magazine publisher Breeanya Hinkel surprised Diane DeLong, naming her Prescott’s first ATHENA Award recipient. Courtesy photo

the way and demonstrated what it means to be a leader. We are thrilled to have this opportunity to honor and highlight these amazing women and their great accomplishments in our community.”

Early sponsors of the Prescott Area ATHENA Award include Dignity Health,Yavapai Regional Medical Center, Prescott Valley Chamber of Commerce and Northern AZsocial. Nominations are being accepted

now through Aug. 1. Tickets for the Prescott Area ATHENA High Tea are $60 per person and $400 for a table of eight. For more information, visit prescottathena.com. FBN

JULY 2021 // Flagstaff Business News

@flagstaffbusinessnews

Easing the Stress of the Times with Massage

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By Mark Love

he current events of our time – from politics to health concerns – can be stressful and exhausting. One of the best ways to quiet the mind and relax the body is through massage. Research shows that massage has numerous health benefits – and not just our physical health, but also our mental and emotional health as well. If we feel refreshed, we are able to function better in all of our roles.

MASSAGE STYLES, TECHNIQUES

Massage is not one-size-fits-all; rather, it is a personalized experience that can be adapted to meet the needs of the individual. There are several different styles and massage techniques. Here are just a few. N Swedish or Relaxation: A gentle technique that uses long strokes, kneading, deep circular movements, vibration and tapping to target the upper layers of the muscles to help relax and energize the body. N Deep Massage: Targets the deep layers of the muscles by using deep, slow and smooth strokes to ease the tension that may be beyond the reach of a relaxation massage. N Sports Massage: Designed specifically for the very physically active, it combines several techniques to concentrate on the body areas related to a specific sport; athletes often get sports massages to prepare for peak performance, prevent and treat an injury and reduce the buildup of lactic acid. N Trigger-Point or Neuromuscular: Targets areas of tender muscle points and tight muscle fibers that can form in the muscles following an injury or muscle overuse. N Myofascial Release: Gentle, sustained pressure into the connective tissue that covers the muscles and is present throughout the body (much like a spiderweb), eases painful restrictions and restores range of motion. N Craniosacral: Extremely light pressure stimulates the muscles and fluids within the cranium (head) and around the spinal cord to help relieve stress and headaches. N Acupressure: Involves applying pressure to certain points on the body to relieve pain and promote health and well-being. N Streto Method Stretch: “Where your mind goes, the body will follow.” That’s why Massage Envy’s Streto Method starts at the head and neck and works downward to stretch and lengthen tendons and fascia throughout

// Massage is not one-size-fitsall; rather, it is a personalized experience that can be adapted to meet the needs of the individual. There are several different styles and massage techniques. //

your body.

alth’s r e H n i ea Darw of the Y ACO 2016 Award: on Regi n r e West inner W

ADD-ON THERAPIES

In addition to the various types of massage, add-on therapies can be part of the massage session. Here are just a few of some of the more popular add-on therapies: N Aromatherapy and Essential Oils: Essential oils are highly concentrated plant essences that have restorative properties; the oils can be applied to the skin or diffused into the room. N Hot Stone: Use of hot stones applied to the body to bring warmth and pressure to release tension, soothe and jumpstart the healing process. N Exfoliating Sugar Scrub: Gentle exfoliation using a sugar scrub followed by smooth application of shea butter exfoliates the skin and increases energy. N Enhanced Muscle Therapy: A great way to unlock tight muscles using a sequence of topical warming gel followed by topical cooling gel to flush the muscles of toxins.

OTHER WAYS TO DE-STRESS AND UNWIND

Although a daily massage would be ideal for many, it is not a reality for most. No worries! There are other ways to relax and rejuvenate. Here are just a few: N Close your eyes, breathe deeply. A big “sigh” can do worlds of good to help you relax. N Eat right. Don’t deny yourself the opportunity to have a favorite holiday dish or rich dessert, just remember to add plenty of plantbased fruit and vegetables and high-protein foods to offset all the carbs and sugar. N Limit alcohol. Alcohol also triggers the body’s stress reaction, leaves you feeling tired in the morning, and often can be the cause of less-than-ideal behavior. N Don’t skimp on the exercise. Exercise helps melt the stress away, increases energy, promotes good sleep at night, and helps to keep us healthy. Don’t put your physical health on the shelf. N Focus on people. When it’s all said and done, people matter. FBN Mark Love is the Franchisee of Massage Envy Spa Flagstaff, located at 1235 S. Plaza Way in the University Plaza Shopping Center next to Safeway. For more information on the benefits of massage and to schedule an appointment with a massage therapist, visit MassageEnvy.com or call 928-526-ENVY (3689) and follow on Facebook at Facebook.com/ MEFlag. Schedule an appointment online – your time, your convenience, your massage.

Rated Number ONE in Arizona by CMS for Quality and Savings

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ommonwealth Accountable Care Organization (ACO) is a partnership of Flagstaff Physicians working together to improve the health of people in Northern Arizona. Our goals: • enhancing communication between all medical providers and clinics • streamlining processes • providing quality cost-effective care • improving health outcomes. We understand that you have a choice when deciding where you receive medical care, which is why we have created the largest network of local primary care providers working together to benefit our patients through seamless coordination of care. Commonwealth is a federally approved ACO participating in the Medicare Shared Savings Program.

Go to

MyHealthcareTeam.net and take that first step to select a Commonwealth Primary Care Provider.

Commonwealth ACO participating primary care providers: East Flagstaff Family Medicine, Ltd. 928-774-2788 Northeast Professional Plaza 1515 E. Cedar Ave., Suite A-3 Flagstaff, AZ 86004 www.eastflagfamilymed.com Bradford Croft, D.O. Sara Reeves, FNP Joshua Makela, PA-C Andrew Conboy, PA-C Ryan Internal Medicine 928-213-5881 1350 Rim Dr. Flagstaff, AZ 86001 www.ryanim.com Keith Ryan, MD Sherrill Weller, DO Cindy Martin, MD

Northern Arizona Radiology 928-773-2515 77 W Forest Ave Ste 101 Flagstaff, AZ 86001 www.northernarizonaradiology.com Northern Arizona Hospice 928.779.9795 928.774.1497 1501 S Yale Street Suite 201, Flagstaff AZ 86001 Northern Arizona Home Health 928-773-2238 1501 S. Yale Street, Suite 101 Flagstaff, AZ 86001

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Understanding the Prevalence of Sexually Transmitted Diseases in Arizona

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By Hedda Fay

ost people in the United States are not aware that Arizona has the distinguished honor of being higher than the national average for chlamydia, gonorrhea and syphilis cases. These bacterial infections are easily spread and can have no symptoms, which makes them that much easier to spread unknowingly. In 2020, there were 36,983 reported cases of chlamydia, 16,180 reported cases of gonorrhea and 2,671 reported cases of syphilis in the state. Reported is the key word, because often STDs are asymptomatic. People right now are walking around with one of these STDs and do not even realize they have it.

tween the ages of 15-24 are more likely to contract these bacteria. In women, untreated chlamydia can lead to tubal factor infertility, ectopic pregnancy, chronic pelvic pain and cervicitis. In men, it can result in proctitis. Chlamydia is the most common of the bacterial STDs. It is contracted through sexual contact with the penis, vagina, mouth or anus of an infected partner. Ejaculation does not have to occur for it to be transmitted.

cause pelvic inflammatory disease and cause infertility. In men, if this infection is untreated, it can cause epididymitis and lead to infertility. In addition, left untreated in any gender, gonorrhea can spread to the bloodstream and cause a life-threatening condition called disseminated gonococcal infection. Gonorrhea has progressively developed resistance to the medications that are used to treat it, and now has a medication-resistant strain.

(also called a chancre) during vaginal, anal or oral sex. These painless chancers can be difficult to notice because of their location in the genital area and anus. Syphilis has four stages to it, and people can experience serious complications in the first stage of syphilis. It is a bacterium that can travel through your body; therefore, people can experience neuro syphilis and ocular syphilis in the first stage of it, which makes this a very serious infection.

and herpes can manifest with open sores and provide an easy route for HIV to access. In localized infections, CD4 cells are recruited to the front lines. These CD4 cells are preferentially targeted by HIV for infection. The more robust the STD attack, the more target cells are recruited, and it becomes more likely that HIV will be able to penetrate the immune defense.

GONORRHEA

SYPHILIS

CONGENITAL SYPHILIS

Abstinence is one way to prevent STDs; however, this is not the most popular prevention option. Proper use of condoms, being in a committed, monogamous relationship, and getting tested regularly are also great prevention tools. It is recommended that STD and HIV testing be part of everyone’s annual health examination. Discussing STDs and HIV with primary care providers or sexual health professionals and following their advice are also very powerful ways to prevent the spread of any or all of these. Being able to discuss sexual health also reduces the stigma of sex, as it allows for open discussions about sex. Sex and STDs have been around for thousands of years; they are

Gonorrhea is also very common, and the rate of gonorrhea in Arizona has also surpassed the rate in the U.S. In addition, men now have higher rates of gonorrhea than women. African American and American Indians in Arizona have higher rates of gonorrhea CHLAMYDIA than their neighbors. The highest rates Unfortunately, Arizona continues to of this infection are found the northeast have higher rates of chlamydia than and southwest corners of the state. It the rest of the U.S. Consistently, there is transmitted through sexual contact are more cases in women than men. African American and American Indian with the penis, mouth, vagina or anus of an infected partner. Most women with populations have consistently higher gonorrhea have no symptoms or the rates of chlamydia than their Hispanic, Anglo and Asian neighbors. In Arizona, symptoms are so mild that gonorrhea is mistaken for a UTI or bladder infection. the highest rates are in the Northeast corner of the state, with Apache County In women, if this infection is untreated, having the highest incidents. People be- it can spread to the fallopian tubes and

Arizona also has a higher rate of new syphilis cases than the rest of the country. The rates of syphilis are highest in Arizona among American Indian populations with the second highest number of cases being in the African American community. Gila County has the highest rate of syphilis cases in Arizona, and Arizona is also No. 5 in the nation for babies being born with it. Syphilis is also a very common bacterial infection. It can look like a lot of different things in the body, which is why it is nicknamed the “Great Pretender.” It is easily cured with the right treatment; however, if left untreated, it can have very serious complications. Syphilis is spread when a person has contact with a syphilis sore

As mentioned above, Arizona ranks No. 5 in the nation again for babies being born with syphilis. This is a true and very sad statistic. What makes this sadder is that syphilis is completely preventable, treatable and curable. In 2020, there were 116 babies born with syphilis in Arizona, nine of whom died. In 2019, Arizona had 110 babies born with syphilis, 10 of whom died. If more people were being educated on STDs and their risks, many of these infections and deaths could be prevented.

STDS AND HIV

Did you know having even one STD increases your risk for HIV? It is true. Ulcerative infections such as syphilis

HOW DO WE PREVENT ALL OF THESE?

Continued on page 34

JULY 2021 // Flagstaff Business News

@flagstaffbusinessnews

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Flagstaff Business News // JULY 2021 flagstaffbusinessnews.com

Business Retention & Expansion

INCENTIVE Designed to help Flagstaff businesses to stay and grow here EMPLOYEES Does your business employ between 1 and 150 people?

SECTORS Can you find your business in the following business sectors?: Entrepreneurial companies, small business, start-ups, bio-sciences, medical device, air-side companies for the Flagstaff Airpark, research and development, health care, clean energy, software development, and education.

ELIGIBILITY You may be eligible to apply for funding between $5,000 and $30,000 to help you stay and grow in Flagstaff. Applications must be submitted to jsaltonstall@flagstaffaz.gov between July 1st and August 31st. Applications will be scored on four criteria: 1.

Wages of the jobs being retained or created relative to the Coconino County median wage and sector

2. Environmental impact relative to water and power usage and volume of waste going into the landfill 3. Direct community benefit 4. The private investment match

For more information contact City of Flagstaff Business Retention and Expansion Manager at jsaltonstall@flagstaffaz.gov or 928-606-9430

Business Line of Credit: How It Works, When It is Useful

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By Janet Kelly

eed help managing cash flow? A business line of credit may be the right option for you. A business owner can borrow as needed up to the limit of the approved credit line, which can range from $10,000 to $1,000,000, depending on the type of business. Business lines of credit with lower credit limits are usually unsecured. This means collateral such as real estate or inventory is not required.

HOW DOES A LINE OF CREDIT WORK?

A line of credit works much like a credit card. You can draw funds as needed and repay over time, as long as you make payments on time and don’t exceed your credit limit. Once the line of credit has been funded, the funds are made available immediately and are easily accessible.

WHY WOULD YOU USE A LINE OF CREDIT?

When a business is in a growth or expansion stage, it might be a good time to consider a line of credit. Businesses can use a line of credit for short-term operating capital. It is not recommended that it be used for long-term needs such as purchasing equipment, debt repayment or to purchase property. If

a business is seeking less than a $10,000 line of credit, a business credit card might be a better option. Business credit cards can be utilized for travel expenses and purchasing, which may accrue points, rewards or cash back depending on the spend category.

HOW TO QUALIFY

For lines of credit under $50,000, OneAZ Credit Union advises that the business should be in operation for at least two years. For lines of credit for more than $50,000, the business should be operational for at least three years. When applying for a business line of credit, the following may be required: personal and business tax returns, bank account statements and business financial statements, such as profit-and-loss statements and balance sheets, as well as a completed business loan application. Rates and fees are determined by the risk assigned to the request but can be discussed in more detail by contacting a Business Banker at OneAZ today. Contact a OneAZ Business Banker for more details on the application process. Visit OneAZcu.com/Business to get started. FBN

Janet Kelly is the business banker for the North Region.

JULY 2021 // Flagstaff Business News

@flagstaffbusinessnews

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Phonak Offers Hearing Aids that Respond to Motion By Karon Lynn, Au.D.

TRADITIONAL HEARING INSTRUMENTS

amplifier, also called a processor, or the computer, of the hearing aid. The job of the amplifier is to change the electrical honak has a new hearing aid Hearing aids are designed to pick signal from the microphone and conthat is able to adjust sound up sound with a microphone. The vert it into digital sounds. This is the input based on your motion! microphone converts the sound waves part of the hearing aid that the audiolWhen you are walking, your hearing into electrical signals. The microogist programs to respond to particular needs are not the same as when you phone may have the ability to switch are sitting in a chair talking to a friend. between directional or omnidirectional pitches and situations based on the results from hearing evaluation. After Speech sound while walking the dog function, depending on the needs of the adjustments to the sound have been with someone or hiking on a trail the wearer. In some situations, the present unique challenges, which are microphones may switch to directional completed, the amplifier converts the sound back to an analog signal. now finally addressed. It is all based to help reduce background noise. In The receiver of the hearing aid takes on your motion read by a chip in the other environments, it is important to the sound from the processor and hearing aid that is able to change the hear sound from all directions, so the enhances the sound to meet the hearing noise cancellation and the microphone microphone switches to omnidirecloss of the wearer of the aids. Receivers settings in the hearing aids without any tional. A hearing aid with the ability are made to provide mild, moderate, assistance from the person wearing to automatically switch back and forth power or extra power to the listener, the hearing aid. It is all automatically between directional and omnidirecchanged. tional microphone pick up is important depending on the hearing loss. The receiver converts the analog signal back to create the most natural sound. The electrical signal is then sent to an into sound waves that the hearing aid wearer hears. All of these components complete this process in a fraction of a // second!

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Hearing aids are designed to pick up sound with a microphone. The microphone converts the sound waves into electrical signals. The microphone may have the ability to switch between directional or omnidirectional function, depending on the needs of the wearer. //

THE NEW PARADISE MOTION DETECT HEARING AID

Now, let’s imagine you are sitting and talking to some friends over lunch. You are able to look at the person you want to hear. You will typically look left or right as each person speaks to you. You are focused only on the voices and not the surrounding sounds. Ideally, your

brain will help to focus your attention on the desired voice and ignore the competitive sound in the environment. Directional microphones are used in this scenario. The microphones facing behind you are turned off or turned down and the forward-facing microphones are picking up the speech. It is important to remember that you will have the least amount of auditory distraction if you sit with your back to the room noise. You don’t want to face your friends with loud noise going on behind them, because that noise will sneak into your hearing aids. However, if you go on a walk or hike with your friends, it is more difficult to look at the person talking. They might be off to your side or behind you. If you are walking on the side of a road and a car passes while you are listening to your friend, it would be difficult to hear. This new hearing aid feature in the Phonak Paradise hearing aid employs a unique algorithm when motion is detected. It changes the microphone focus and deactivates the spatial noise cancellation. A study in August 2020 demonstrated improved sound quality, speech understanding and environmental awareness of sound when out walking while wearing the Phonak Paradise model

hearing aids. I find this feature amazing and the fact that this all happens automatically is a winner! No need to push a button or change a setting in the hearing aid app in your phone. The hearing aid industry is changing to meet the needs of more people than ever before. The special features are just part of the advantages. Battery life, water resistant hearing aids and programming to the specific desires of an individual are now at our fingertips. Be mindful of offers that seem too good to be true, your hearing is your connection to the people you love and it is important that you explore the best fit for your lifestyle. FBN Trinity Hearing Center is located at 1330 N. Rim Dr., Suite B in Flagstaff. For more information, visit TrinityHearing.net. Karon Lynn, Au.D., is a doctor of audiology with 30 years of experience working with hearing impaired individuals. Dr. Lynn may be reached at 928-522-0500 or at audio@trinityhearing.net.

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Flagstaff Business News // JULY 2021 flagstaffbusinessnews.com

Why Do Muscles Cramp? By Amber Belt, ND

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e are in full-swing summer, which generally means fullswing muscle cramp season! I get a number of questions in my practice and on social media about muscle cramps. Today, I’d like to help you prevent and get rid of muscle cramps so that you and your muscles can have a more enjoyable summer.

WHAT CAUSES MUSCLE CRAMPS?

There can be many reasons that cramps happen, but I’m going to go over two of the most common causes of cramps. My hope is that teaching you why you cramp will help you avoid future cramping episodes as best as you possibly can.

ELECTROLYTES, HYDRATION

It’s hot outside and in Northern Arizona, it’s easy to sweat a lot and not realize it because our sweat evaporates so quickly. Most of us who live in the high desert understand the importance of water, but the importance of electrolytes can be overlooked. When we sweat, especially when we sweat profusely and for a long period of time, we create a deficit of electrolytes. The most notable electrolyte losses when it comes to muscle cramping are

sodium and chloride. Sound familiar? It should! Sodium chloride is what we all know as salt. We also lose other electrolytes such as potassium, magnesium and calcium when we sweat. With these electrolyte losses and dehydration, our body compensates by moving fluid from muscle tissue into our blood vessels in order to protect the vascular system and heart. This leaves our muscles with less fluid within the muscle cells themselves. The remaining fluid doesn’t have the proper proportion of electrolytes or fluid to maintain normal muscle function. This concentrated and depleted fluid that remains in the muscle cells disrupts the normal electrical input to our muscle cells. This abnormal fluid can cause the nerves that control muscle contractions to erratically fire. If enough of these nerves begin to fire,

many muscle cells will contract, which results in cramping. Cramping from electrolyte depletion will often start with small twitches in muscles (usually leg muscles) and progress to full on muscle cramps. These types of cramps can even persist after we’re done sweating if the fluid imbalance isn’t corrected. And, with this type of cramping, it’s not limited to the muscles that are being used. Any muscle can cramp when electrolytes are imbalanced. If you start to notice the little muscle twitches that come before the big cramp it’s smart to drink a rapidly absorbed, highly concentrated electrolyte beverage. Getting electrolytes on board will often provide relief rather quickly. The concentrated electrolytes can be followed with a more diluted electrolyte drink. Additionally, gentle massage

// If you start to notice the little muscle twitches that come before the big cramp it’s smart to drink a rapidly absorbed, highly concentrated electrolyte beverage. Getting electrolytes on board will often provide relief rather quickly. //

may help the twitching or cramping muscles to relax while the electrolytes are doing their thing on a cellular level.

FATIGUE

Yeah, it’s hot in the summer, and we like to blame all of our cramps on heat. But a lot of cramps happen because of muscle fatigue. I see a lot of muscle cramping in people who are doing the Weekend Warrior thing and overusing muscles that have not seen a lot of use on a daily basis. However, cramps can happen even in fit athletes if they are overexerting themselves. On a cellular level, these types of cramps happen when the neuromuscular balance of the muscle fibers becomes imbalanced. The excitatory input to the muscle that causes the muscle to contract overwhelms the inhibitory input to the muscle. Without the proper balance to inhibit the muscle’s contraction, contracting (a.k.a. cramping) is all the muscle can do. Ouch! When cramping happens out of fatigue, the cramp will be limited to the muscle or muscles that have been overused and are now overly fatigued. The best remedy for these cramps when they do happen is stretching and

gentle massage to the muscle that has been affected. If you are deconditioned (out of shape), if you don’t stretch and lack mobility, and/or if you overexercise, watch out! You are more likely to get muscle cramps from fatigue.

OTHER CONDITIONS

There are many other conditions that can lead to muscle cramping. If your cramping isn’t caused by electrolyte imbalance or fatigue, you need to see a medical professional to dig deeper and get to the cause of your cramps. Muscle cramps may indicate a more serious problem and be caused by lack of blood flow to a muscle or compression of the nerves that feed a muscle. It’s also not uncommon for cramping to be a side effect of a medication, so scrutinizing prescription and over-the-counter medications may be needed if cramping is happening. FBN Amber Belt, N.D. is a naturopathic physician with sharp regenerative injection skills, a roller derby enthusiast, a business owner, an animal lover and a Flagstaff devotee. She has been performing regenerative injections for 12 years and can be contacted via aspenmedcenter.com or at 928-213-5828.

JULY 2021 // Flagstaff Business News

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Seven Fun Facts about Flagstaff’s Role in the Olympics

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By Meg Roederer

lagstaff, Arizona is a world-class, athlete-tested destination, with locals often sharing the same trail, path or swimming pool with Olympians. Why? Flagstaff has a long history as an altitude training site, going back to when elite athletes discovered Flagstaff in the 1960s as they prepared for the altitude-based 1968 Olympics in Mexico City. Since the ‘60s and through the years, Flagstaff has proven itself to be one of the world’s leading altitude training sites, effectively ticking all the right boxes. Fun Fact #1: Flagstaff is home to a “perfect” 6,889-ft. elevation (sport science research says the most effective altitude training occurs between 6,5008,200 feet), at which the desired physiological adaptations and subsequent increases in aerobic and anaerobic performance are most likely to occur. Athletes gain an endurance edge at elevation in Flagstaff breathing deep, fresh, cool, mountain air, leading to better oxygen flow and muscle endurance. World-class athletes come from all over the globe to train in Flagstaff, and that includes athletes preparing for the XXXII Summer Olympic games in Tokyo, July 23-Aug. 8, 2021. In addition, Flagstaff’s location provides

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convenient access to lower training elevations, allowing athletes to modify their altitude training plans to take advantage of “hi-lo” training protocols. Fun Fact #2: Flagstaff is home to high quality training venues on the campus of Northern Arizona University and high-quality sport performance services from Hypo2, not to mention a strong sport culture to boot. And, unlike many high-altitude training locales, all this is based within a fully functioning city, a vibrant mountain town environment where athletes can get away from the daily grind of training by enjoying great restaurants, grabbing

Butano Kakuni

Pork belly that is pan seared to crisp the meat then braised in a mix of teriyaki sauce, beer, & dashi. I make my teriyaki and dashi from scratch, dashi is a stock comprised of dried fish flakes & seaweed. Served with sushi rice and sesameginger bok choy.

coffee in unique local cafes, shopping downtown or taking in a show at the Orpheum. Combine all that with the ability to visit world-class destinations like the Grand Canyon and Sedona on rest days, and it is a truly exceptional package. Fun Fact #3: Flagstaff was selected in the “Most Fitness-Friendly Places for 2021” according to smartasset.com. SmartAsset crunched the numbers and found that Flagstaff ranked in the Top 10 when compared to more than 300 metropolitan areas. Flagstaff had the third highest percentage of residents who walk or bike to work, with 109

fitness establishments per 10,000 total establishments. Fun Fact #4: Since the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta, more than 10,000 world-class sport personnel (athletes, coaches, sport scientists, etc.) from 29 countries have made Flagstaff their

altitude-training site of choice. Fun Fact #5: Ever wonder how Olympic athletes fuel their bodies? Athletes training in Flagstaff enlist the culinary expertise of professional chef Laura Chamberlain. Laura’s dishes Continued on page 31

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Gentle Giants Transforming Lives in Chino Valley Horses with Heart enhances abilities, confidence, joy

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By Bonnie Stevens, FBN

he girl with the pink leggings and brown cowboy boots pats the tri-colored pony on the neck, sits up straight in the saddle, and with reins confidently in hand, commands “Walk on.” As Majesty responds with a gentle stride, Lizzie smiles. And for Dani Mackin of Prescott, this is what a miracle looks like. Dani is Lizzie’s mom. She describes her 9-yearold’s serious social anxiety as paralyzing. “She wouldn’t talk to people. She would do what we call ‘a possum,’ and just freeze, or run away crying when someone came near her. She wouldn’t talk to her grandfather. She never even petted our dog really. We had trouble finding babysitters.” That was life when Lizzie was 6. And then, magic happened. Lizzie’s parents nervously put her on the back of a horse at a Happy Hearts rodeo sponsored by Horses with Heart. “We thought she’d freak out,” said Dani. But, she didn’t. In fact, she loved it. The girl who rarely smiled, started smiling. “The next week she actually started to talk to my dad all of a sudden. It was unbelievable. We didn’t know what just happened but we knew we had to keep it going.” Jan Grise believes in miracles. The program director and riding instructor says she sees them every day in the Horses with Heart arena in Chino Valley. “Horses connect with people. This is not therapy. But what we do is therapeutic. Individuals come out here and make wonderful strides emotionally, physically, cognitively.” This summer marks the 29th anniversary for the organization that works with more than 150 riders each season (other than in 2020 during the pandemic), from May to October,

Volunteers assist staff members to make up the support team at the Horses with Heart stables in Chino Valley. Courtesy photo

ranging in age from 4 to 87. Grise, a lifetime equestrian, has been involved with Horses with Heart for 14 years. “We serve people with special needs,” she said. “Our tagline is, ‘Horses with Heart is where difficulties become possibilities.’” In the arena, five certified instructors plus volunteer support teams work with individuals with conditions such as cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis, autism and Down Syndrome, as well as people with learning disabilities, veterans with PTSD and those recovering from a stroke. Grise explains that the gait of a horse mimics a human’s walking pattern and can help riders regain the use of an arm or leg. “We have a rider with cerebral palsy who doesn’t walk well. She’ll get on that horse and make it walk. When she does this, she’s reprogramming her muscles and her brain.” Riders also connect with the horses by getting in sync with their breathing patterns, she explained. “They are such big animals, but they are gentle giants. Most of the riders will want to pet them

or spend some time grooming them, touching them and looking at them eye to eye and breathing with them.” Grise says the program serves several foster children who have had disruptive lives, trauma and a lot of emotional upheaval. She describes an 11-year-old rider who had so much trauma in her life she stopped speaking. “We started her in lessons. About two weeks in, she started whispering to her horse – we teach riders to talk their horses with ‘Walk on,’ ‘Whoa’ and ‘Trot.’ It was very much a whisper. By the end of the first six weeks, she started talking to her coach, talking to her horse and by the end of her second six-week session, she was talking to everybody.” There’s also the story of a boy who started with the program at age 11. In his early 20s, he cantered his way onto the world stage in the 2015 Special Olympics and walked off a champion. “Out of 10 spots from the U.S., Jeremiah got one and went to Los Angeles for the World Games. He won gold and bronze medals. He is married now and doing marvelously well. When he start-

Elizabeth “Lizzie” Mackin was born with Down Syndrome and has severe sensory issues. Her mom says she’s happiest, communicative and connected when she’s in the saddle. “I don’t know how Horses with Heart works, all I know is it just does,” says Lizzie’s mom, Dani Mackin. Courtesy photo

ed with us, he was pretty uncommunicative, very shy and withdrawn. Now, he is a very, very neat young man.” Some of the horses are leased from locals, other are donated from people who have retired from the horse world. One is a miniature horse, who serves as a Horses with Heart ambassador for visits to schools and nursing homes. “The horses are marvelous healing things that help our participants overcome their difficulties,” said Grise. “You come out here and see a participant one week and the next week,

what a change! Some riders are born with severe developmental difficulties. Through the program, you can see them function at such a higher level. It’s just amazing. I’m in love with what I do.” The non-profit organization charges $50 per session and operates on donations. The Horses with Heart program at Chino Valley is the only accredited one of its kind in Northern Arizona. For more information, visit horseswithheartaz.org. FBN

JULY 2021 // Flagstaff Business News

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Dogs May Suffer as Owners Return to Busy Lives

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By Betsey Bruner, FBN

he more than 15 months of the COVID-19 saga have brought many changes for pets, some favorable and others sad, such as becoming homeless when a family had to move because of an eviction after jobs and income were lost. Jennifer Brehler, executive director of the Humane Society of Sedona, said one of the bright spots early on was a “significant increase” in the number of people stepping up to both foster and adopt shelter animals and “coming forward to help homeless animals in general and to open up space at shelters for other animals in need.” In fact, by some accounts, a record number of pets were adopted during COVID. “We had such a successful year last year,” Brehler noted. “They [pet owners] had more time to devote and spend with their animals, so they weren’t looking at surrendering pets.” But, the story may be changing as pandemic restrictions are lifted across the country and family members who are suddenly busy outside the home again may see pets as too daunting to maintain. This includes cute COVID puppies that have grown up. For some unsuspecting pets, the

“Welcome” mat may be abruptly pulled off the doorstep. “We have seen an increase in owner surrender for sure, but I’m not sure if it is directly related to dogs being adopted during COVID – it’s hard to say,” said Julie Tasch, the shelter manager at High Country Humane in Doney Park near Flagstaff. “People have said they have had to surrender due to financial hardship during COVID. People lose their jobs or are not able to find work. It seems like a dramatic increase.” High Country Humane is located in the former home of the Second Chance Center for Animals on North U.S. Highway 89, which closed in 2017 because of financial difficulties. Today, the shelter has about 338 animals in the system, but many of them are in foster homes outside the facility, she added. “I do think we get told reasons for why they surrender,” Tasch said. “It seems to be across the board – either they’re moving, or behavioral challenges, or financial challenges. A lot of our animals have come off the reservation, with the reservation being closed for so long because of COVID. That could play into that as well.” But, the actual picture on pet adoption and surrender is unclear, and statistics vary widely nationwide.

“Does the data actually show that, or is it anecdotal?” Brehler asked. “I’m not sure if there are more surrenders or not. I know that there have been a lot of articles; it’s a little controversial. In Sedona, we’re not seeing a significant increase. What we are hearing from other shelters is that they are inundated by owner surrenders.” She said areas farther south, like Phoenix and Maricopa, have “expressed having a lot of animals currently. Across the county, I know it’s been a big topic of discussion.” She added, “2019 was a more comparable year, with numbers similar to now, rather than in last May or June.” Sedona may be a bit different in its shelter scene than other communities because of demographics, she said, “with more retirees who are not necessarily going back to work,” as well as people who live elsewhere and commute to Sedona to work. Many shelters have software companies to tabulate their figures, Brehler said. There are only national estimates of statistics for the animal protection movement and “the figures may vary from state to state,” according to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA). “Approximately 6.5 million companion animals enter U.S. animal shelters

After a year of higher-than-usual pet adoptions, some shelters are reporting an uptick in the number of dogs being brought to shelters. Courtesy photo

nationwide every year,” according to the ASPCA’s website. Stress and anxiety are common conditions for animals housed in shelters. “With anxiety, we do everything we can to keep things stress-free here, but it’s still a shelter environment,” Tasch said about High Country Humane. “It’s definitely more stressful that being in a home.”

Some animals handle the shelter experience better than others. “Owner surrenders seem to have a harder time adjusting than strays,” she said. “They’re used to routine and home, compared to strays. For strays, this can be a step up for them, with food and a warm bed. It’s a comfort for them sometimes.” Continued on page 26

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Miniature But Mighty

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By Cheyenne Brown

e are all likely familiar with the saying “Enjoy the little things.” Olsen’s Grain employee Michelle Whan is no stranger to the fact that good things come in small packages – namely, her miniature horses. Whan has been involved with miniature horses for a very long time and shared some of the amazing things she has done with minis in order to enrich the lives of others. You have probably heard of therapy dogs. But what about therapy miniature horses? Whan, alongside Horses With Heart, a fantastic organization that provides therapeutic benefits through horsemanship, visits retirement homes with her minis. The residents light up when they see the minis coming, and some of them are even reminded of time they spent growing up on a farm or ranch, because the horses bring back that connection. But these minis aren’t just therapeutic – Whan is also part of the Saguaro State Shetland Pony and Miniature Horse Club. The purpose of this organization is to bring “small equine” enthusiasts together by holding clinics, meet-andgreet days, shows and more. So, what can a mini do? Check out this excerpt directly from the SSCAZ website: “Like any horse, minis like a job. Any job will do as long as you and the horse enjoy it. The biggest benefit to a job is the bonding that happens between you and your horse. The side benefits are that we get to spend time with our horses, sometimes at home, sometimes as a group of fun-loving members out for a day of socializing, learning new things, and trying new skills.” Whan made sure to emphasize that there is a

lot you can do with your mini, from driving to in-hand obstacles. Miniature horses can also provide a way for children to gain confidence in equine-handling and care. Ultimately, these horses may be little in stature, but their impact is large. FBN Cheyenne Brown is the marketing manager for Olsen’s Grain.

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PETS continued from page 25

Concern about separation anxiety in animals is not new to many shelters, trainers and behaviorists “We have seen this happen in the past with a smaller percentage of dogs when families return to school and longer work days after summer vacation,” Brehler said in earlier news reports. “Given the extended timeframe of the pandemic, there is reason to worry.” Typically, more dogs are surrendered than cats. “With the employment issue, going back to work, dogs are harder to manage than cats,” she added. “Cats are more forgiving of us leaving them at home. They use the litter box.” A late-May press release from Assisi Animal Health, a company with headquarters in New York that offers stress-reducing products for pets, such as the Calmer Canine system (featuring a targeted, pulsed electromagnetic field), said, “shelters are reporting a 100% increase in pets surrendered and abandoned post-lockdown.” It cited sources like the Lucky Dog Rescue service in Dublin, California and a story in The New York Post (May 11, 2021), which warned, “The number of dogs and cats returned to the shelter has doubled over the last few months –

and it’s only expected to get worse.” Ideally, the goal is to rehome or cross-post pets so that they can be placed in a new home quickly. “It’s a sad situation,” Brehler said. “Anytime an animal is coming to a shelter, of course we’d prefer that they be in a nice home instead.” During the COVID crisis, “so many of us in the shelter world worked outside the shelter” to provide “tips and support and helping owners find a new owner,” so the pet travels from “home to home,” rather than “home, to shelter, to home,” and “We’re continuing that as we can.” Rehoming is also a big focus at High Country Humane. “We work with owners in every way we can to keep their dogs and cats in the home,” Tasch explained. “We have a food bank, low-cost vaccinations and a spay-neuter clinic. We try to rehome their pets, rather than bringing them into us.” Unfortunately, when people are no longer working from home, there is a higher likelihood they are going to turn their pets in to a shelter. “Whether there are more animals or not being surrendered, anytime an animal loses a home, it’s tragic,” Brehler concluded. FBN

JULY 2021 // Flagstaff Business News

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Optimizing the Aging Thyroid By Christina Kovalik NMD, LAc

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ore than 20 million Americans have thyroid issues. Sixty percent are unaware that they have an issue, because some practitioners don’t run the right tests or are not trained in hormone optimization. The thyroid starts to decline as we age, especially with the hormonal shifts of perimenopause, menopause and andropause. Optimizing thyroid hormones improves metabolism, energy levels and mood. Thyroid hormones are released by the thyroid gland and are responsible for temperature regulation, metabolism, cerebral function and energy. The thyroid works optimally in conjunction with other endocrine organs, like the adrenals, pituitary, pancreas, liver and reproductive organs. The thyroid is required to work harder if the other organs have been overworked or overstimulated by stress, food allergies, poor diet and lack of sleep. Thyroid function is evaluated by obtaining blood levels of thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), Free T4 or T3, and thyroid antibodies. Some practitioners only look at TSH and will often miss a low thyroid by not ordering the other lab tests.

There are three categories of thyroid imbalance: 1. Hypothyroidism/thyroid deficiency. 2. Hyperthyroidism/overactive thyroid. 3. Suboptimal thyroid/low thyroid symptoms with normal values. NORMAL is not OPTIMAL. Optimal ranges of blood levels are based on the patient’s symptoms, how the patient feels and shooting for the optimal thyroid range where people feel the best. When optimizing the thyroid hormones, it can protect against age-related diseases like cardiovascular disease, fatigue, obesity and cognitive decline.

COMMON SYMPTOMS: LOW THYROID

N Fatigue N Weight gain N Constipation N Dry skin and brittle nails N Irregular cycles N Hair loss on overall head or temples, and outer eyebrows N Poor memory or reflexes N Depression or low motivation N Low body temperature

COMMON SYMPTOMS: HIGH THYROID

(Excess hormone due to overmedication, Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, or hyperthyroidism) N Heart palpitations N Insomnia N Loose stools N Shakiness N Anxiety N Bone loss (not the case if you are on thyroid hormones) N Fingernails lifting in the center of the tip N Heat intolerance or sweating Since many thyroid imbalances are often missed, know that natural medicine offers an array of treatments for thyroid issues that is more restorative and preventative by utilizing diet/lifestyle changes, supplementation, herbal treatments and acupuncture. As we age, the metabolism slows down and the female/ male hormones decline along with the thyroid. Studies have shown that when the hormones are optimized, the risk of age-related illness also declines. 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.

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Flagstaff Business News // JULY 2021 flagstaffbusinessnews.com

The Golden Girls of Real Estate Describe the Local Market: Anything Can Happen the pandemic outbreak, which had homebuyers and sellers a bit shy about pulling the trigger. Now, there’s a high demand with super-low inventory, interest rates are low and pent-up buyers are scratching and clawing to enter the market. That is what’s happening. We also have buyers who are worn out and have given up. It’s just hard for everybody right now. Housing prices are up for numerous reasons – the demand is outweighing supply, building prices are up because the cost of building materials are up, and people are moving here because they’ve learned they can live and work from anywhere. Freddi: Also, buyers are coming from expensive urban centers like Los

// I think some sellers are over-inflating the value of their properties because things are selling so quickly. But if you go back and review the homes that have sold quickly, it’s because they were priced right and the buyers drove up the price. //

Angeles and New York, where they’ve sold their 1,200-square-foot home for $1.5 million. So, buying a 2,500-squarefoot home for anything less seems like a bonus. In addition, Baby Boomers are downsizing and coming in with cash, making them tough competition for the first-time homebuyer looking for the same size house. All of this has some sellers now drinking the KoolAid in this homebuying frenzy and overpricing their homes, thinking they are going to sell no matter what and they end up not having any showings. Rosie: I just talked to a realtor and asked how it was going on a particular house. He said it’s still on the market and he didn’t know why. Well, it’s listed for over $300 a square foot. Pricing a house needs to be done at market value based on our comps and seeing what the market will bear. A lot of times when we have that conversation with our sellers, they understand that. That might not be a conversation that everyone’s having with their sellers. Freddi: I totally agree. I think some sellers are over-inflating the value of their properties because things are selling so quickly. But if you go back and review the homes that have sold

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ealtors Rosemary “Rosie” Lamberson and Freddi Paulsrud of Russ Lyon Sotheby’s International Realty are seasoned experts in Flagstaff’s dynamic real estate market. With 80 years of experience between them, Rosie and Freddi are sharing their valuable knowledge as “The Golden Girls of Real Estate.” FBN: For homebuyers and sellers, the last year-and-a-half has been like riding an extreme roller coaster. How would you explain where we’ve been and where we’re going in the real estate market? Rosie: A lot has happened in the last year! Forget about the slow start of 2020 with all the unknowns of

quickly, it’s because they were priced right and the buyers drove up the price. When you’re saying, “Oh, well, my neighbor got 15 offers on their house listed at $400,000 so I can ask $650,000,” well, we may have to remind them, the house with all the offers was pristine and priced right. You can’t hike the price for the same floor plan because none of those 15 buyers are going to come by and buy your house. Sellers who overprice their homes are shooting themselves in the foot before we ever put a sign in the front yard. If we have a great listing and price it well, we may have 10 offers. That is when I will prepare a spreadsheet for my sellers highlighting the plusses and pitfalls of each offer. FBN: Is there any end in sight to this intense seller’s market? Rosie: One thing about the market, it’s not easy for either buyers or sellers, even though sellers are in the driver’s seat. According to projections, it’s going to remain that way for a very long time. Flagstaff is surrounded by National Forest, it always has been. I like to show my buyers a Forest Service map. With all the state land, National Parks and federal land, we have very

few spots in here for private land and that always drives the price up. And then when you put that demand on steroids, well, we’ve really been discovered. We’ve got a vibrant running community. Young people are coming here. People who can work out of their homes are coming here. Freddi: I think it’s interesting that with a warming climate, our winters are becoming almost nonexistent some years and I’m seeing a lot more retirees come here. They used to say, “We don’t want to live in the snow.” But in Flagstaff, you really don’t have to live in the snow. It’s just an occasional inconvenience. Rosie: It is. And at any given point, you can drive to Sedona or some other place that’s just stunningly beautiful. Freddi: What I’ve noticed, too, especially with our second-home market, is that buyers who maybe would take their families to Hawaii or on a cruise are saying, “I just want to have a house that we can bring our family to and spend time together and not have to fly to get there. That translates into the Phoenix people coming here and buying second homes. Continued on page 34

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JULY 2021 // Flagstaff Business News

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ADVERTORIAL

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luid Flow is an amniotic liquid allograft derived from the amniotic fluid within the placenta. It is used by health practitioners to treat soft tissue pain and inflammation safely and effectively, while promoting regeneration of our bodies to their optimal health. N non-surgical N non-opioid N non-steroidal Fluid Flow is an ambient temperature amniotic liquid allograft to advance soft tissue repair, replacement, reconstruction, cushion, lubrication, and protection of human joint areas.

IS FLUID FLOW COMFORTABLE?

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The biologic components of fluid flow are often used as part of a treatment regimen to successfully combat pain and inflammation in soft tissue. It has been shown to be an excellent modality for

treating the symptoms of arthritis, plantar fasciitis and tendinitis. The medical literature has demonstrated over the last 100 years that using placental allografts promotes healing of many of the following conditions: N Osteoarthritis N Back Pain (Facet) N Ligament Injury N Joint Pain N Hips N Knees N Elbows N Shoulders N Tennis Elbow N Plantar Fasciitis N Degenerative Disc Disease N Carpal Tunnel

IS FLUID FLOW SAFE?

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and cytokines associated with repair, replacement and regeneration of soft tissue. When injected into the body, these growth factors and cytokines have been shown to promote healing and pain management.

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Fluid Flow was issued q-code: q4206 by CMS for soft tissue pain and inflammation and therefore can be reimbursed by Medicare, making this an affordable option for your patients. Learn more about Fluid Flow as an option for you by contacting Northern Arizona Pain Institutes at NorthernArizonaPainInsistutes.com. FBN PRODUCT Source: https://emsbio.com/home Dorian Lange, CEO, Northern Arizona Pain Institutes, is responsible for the management, administration and business development for multi-disciplinary specialty clinics throughout central Arizona that provide integrative treatment protocols for pain management, physical and rehabilitative medicine. Lange developed the initial business plan and implemented the strategic planning from startup to a multi-million-dollar medical specialty organization. Learn more at https://northernarizonapaininstitutes.com/health-careteam/.

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www.flagstaff businessnews.com/subscribe INSIDE THE JANUARY

Land Purchase Eyed for Economic Development p. 3

p. 7 Community Profile: Geri Hongeva Promotes Navajo Language through Star Wars p. 13

Scientists Helping Reforestation Efforts in Panama p. 6

Knees

2020 ISSUE:

Forest Health Hero Wally Covington Retires from NAU

Local Veterans Feeling Support from Nation of Patriots p. 4

New Year, New

Doctors and therapists at Rehabilitation Northern Arizona want patients back Hospital of on their feet By V. Ronnie Tierney, FBN

A

fter 400 backcountry hikes into the Grand Canyon, trips down the Colorado 100 River and scores of worldwide excursions spanning a 44-year career, it was no surprise to 65-year-old geologist Wayne Ranney knees began to bother when his him. “I went to the doctor, tried a couple treatments and when they didn’t

he said with a laugh. level of care,” said “The rooms were Dr. fantastic, private work, the doctors and I can’t say enough physician and medical Richard Holt, said I would be about the director. a good candidate Complete with 24/7 for bilateral replace- staff. They were very attentive, ment – that is double caring and professional. When coverage, an on-site physician knee surgery pharmacy I left, with three – so I agreed,” said hugs were all around.” full-time pharmacists, Ranney. “The surgery went well nursing and patient With a staff of 120, and care technicians, the Rehabilionly took two hours.” surprisingly tation Hospital of Northern Arizona full-time occupational, speech and opened in February A big boost for physical therapy, Ranney in his Holt said, “There 2018. The post-op recovery is 40-bed facility is nothing like us in was the care he the only rehabilNorthern Arizona received at the Rehabilitation itation care facility and now patients in Northern can stay in the Hospital of Northern Arizona and is a Arizona. “I spent joint-commissioned community that is close to their 12 days in recovery accredited hospital. “Before homes and families there, which I and get worldwe believe helped to opened here, patients class rehabilitation save my marriage,” care.” would have to travel literally hours Ranney says the food is great, to get this type/ Continued on

PHX & LAX

8 FLIGHTS A DAY 7 DAYS A WEEK Please consider being dropped off as parking is limited.

Game On: ‘Flagsta Local’ Rewards ff Shopping, Helping , Giving Players

Mountain Sports Owner Lisa Lamberson make a difference says the Flagstaff in the community. Local movement “When dollars are Lamberson, shown brings spent locally, businesses awareness to actions that here with Mountain Patagonia to grant Sports General Manager have more to give $10,000 to the Azulita back.” Britni Montague, program promotes reducing single-use Project, represented by Maria Campbell recently partnered with plastics, like plastic straws, in Flagstaff’s and James Q. Martin. The service industry. January Courtesy photo

2020 | Issue 1 Volume

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earn points and a chance at prizes for ‘actions that matter;’ businesses have more to give back

By Bonnie Stevens, FBN game thought up by the Economic Vitality t is like Jumanji Diviwithout killer ostriches. Flagstaff the sion and Discover Flagstaff Local is a community-wide tourism folks at the City Flagstaff, and everybody of wins.

I

It involves deeds that benefit the greater good and earn players points. Flagstaff Local is similar to some video games in which the better you do, the better your health, except in this case, the better the health of the community. Mountain Sports Flagstaff Continued on

page 30

INSIDE THE FEBRUARY

Flagstaff Shines on Signs p. 4

Neighborhood Barbershop Expanding p. 5 Barrett-Jackson

Harnessing the

State’s largest wind farm to produce jobs and millions electricity, in economic impact to region

A

By Bonnie Stevens,

FBN

rizona’s largest wind energy project, the Chevelon Butte Wind Farm, is expected to have turbine blades spinning in a remote area south of Winslow by the end of 2021, and power the region with an estimated $8 million in indirect economic benefits during the construction phase.

Gleams with Car Show Tradition p. 11

2020 ISSUE:

Community Profile: Scotty McPeak Promotes Olive Oil, Healthy Living p. 13 Lowell, ERAU Share Cosmic Forces p. 16

Wind

customers by 2050. “We’re pretty excited. “We This project sPower are super excited,” said fits with our vision Senior Permitting and comprehenManager sive plan to look sPower, a Salt Lake Terrance Unrein. at renewable energy “This is the right City-based renewable energy sources,” said Coconino project for Arizona developer, received and County unanimous approval Supervisor Matt and Navajo counties’ for Coconino Ryan. to move forward communities at on the project from the right time, especially At full build-out, both Coconino the wind farm with the coal and Navajo counties is expected to be plant closures. Wind two or three times and energy is a great Corporation Commission,the Arizona larger than any opportunity for other operating our future and I which wind this is one think company officials energy project in of the best projects say is a rare feat the state, with 164 we’re for any wind farm, turbines spread ever going to see across 42,000 acres much less one of in the area, given its this size. This came and generating 477 incredibly remote just weeks before and windy location, megawatts, the APS announced equivalent of enough proximity to viable its goal transmission infraelectricity to 100% clean, carbon-free to deliver power a structure, and planned electricity to people. community of about 150,000 lack to threatened or endangeredof impacts species.” Continued on

PHX & LAX

8 FLIGHTS A DAY 7 DAYS A WEEK Please consider being dropped off as parking is limited.

page 41

CCC C-LAB Opens for Students to Gain Hands-O n Skills

Upgraded construction technology shop made possible Foundation grant with Del E. Webb By Larry Hendricks,

Del E. Webb Foundation President John B. the $1 million in Lees shows off grant funding the a hammer he received college received Street campus. in gratitude from to help with the Courtesy photo CCC for remodel of the C-LAB on the Fourth

February 2020

| Issue 2 Volume

13

C

FBN

oconino Community College alumnus William Gonzales stood in the space with a smile on his face.

He ran his hand along the workstation, felt the sawdust.

The Coconino Community College C-LAB for Construction Technology Management students has officially opened for students. More The smell of newness than filled people were on hand 50 the shop. Metal surfaces, once for the late-January dull, gleamed. Tools, ready for celebration. ribbon-cutting use, lined walls. The newly refurbished shop was “This is just so amazing,” made possible with the help of Gonzales said, glancing a $1 million grant from the Del around. “I wish E. Webb it looked like Foundation. this when I started taking Among those in classes.” attendance Continued on

page 38

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Flagstaff Business News // JULY 2021 flagstaffbusinessnews.com

Handling Construction Disputes When Building a House By Jason Bliss and Trevor Kortsen

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hether you are an owner or a contractor, now is a tumultuous time in the construction world. Construction material prices are sky high, contractors are overwhelmed with work, and everything takes longer than it used to. In difficult times, disputes can arise, so now is a good time for both owners and contractors to know their rights. First, owners and contractors should be aware of the role of the Arizona Registrar of Contractors (the “ROC”) in construction disputes. Owners who are dissatisfied with a licensed contractor’s work can file a complaint with the ROC through an online portal. Depending on the issue raised in the complaint, the complaint will usually result in an inspection of the property by an ROC inspector. If this inspection confirms workmanship problems or other issues, the ROC will issue a “written directive” for the contractor to address the deficiencies. If the contractor fails to address the deficiencies, or if disputes remain, the inspector can refer the matter to the ROC’s legal department, which will usually issue a “citation.” The citation then begins

an administrative process, culminating in a hearing, after which the ROC will decide whether to suspend or revoke the contractor’s license. Owners should know that the ROC Complaint process is quick, user-friendly, and, at least in its early stages, does not require involvement by an attorney. Also, the possibility of discipline against a contractor’s license often gets the contractor’s attention and can lead to a negotiated resolution. Contractors should know that they have a right to inspect the work that is the subject of the complaint, and that they have a right to take appropriate corrective action within a “reasonable period of time” after receiving the written directive. Contractors should also know that the owner must provide the contractor reasonable access to perform the corrective work. Second, owners and contractors should be aware of common areas of dispute within a construction agreement, areas which may or may not fall within the scope of the statutory and regulatory violations for which the registrar may impose discipline. For example, every construction agreement should address how “changes” to the work and to the

contract price will be implemented. Construction is an imperfect science, and the construction of a home often evolves over time. The question is not whether there will be changes, but how many, how much they will cost, and how will they be approved. Do all change orders have to be in writing, signed by contractor and owner? Or are verbal changes permissible, perhaps with subsequent written confirmation at a later date? What about “allowances” and estimated “budgets” for an item that are later exceeded? Do the terms “allowance” and “budget” imply that the scope and cost will change? Is a written change order still necessary when the contractor exceeds an “allowance” or a “budget” for a given item? Ideally, the construction agreement should clearly define the scope of work and the cost, and should provide a specific procedure for any changes to that scope and cost. To avoid disputes on these issues, the best practice is to require a written change order, signed by both contractor and owner, for any change in the scope and cost, even if the change is to an item for which an amount was originally described as an “allowance” or “budget.” Finally, anyone who wants to sue

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a licensed contractor in court needs to be aware of Arizona’s Purchaser Dwelling Act (the “PDA” - sometimes called the “right to repair” statute). This process is not unlike the inspection and written directive process administered by the ROC, but it is a prerequisite to filing suit against a contractor. Under the PDA, an owner must provide written notice of allegations of defects, must provide the contractor the opportunity to inspect, and then the contractor must respond to the written notice within 60 days. In its response, the contractor can offer to make repairs, to have another contractor make repairs, or the contractor may offer a monetary settlement. The owner may accept or reject this offer, except the owner must allow the contractor a reasonable opportunity to repair or replace the alleged construction defects or cause the alleged construction defects to be repaired by another contractor. The PDA is complex and a full summary of the statute is beyond the scope of this article. It is sufficient to note that compliance with the PDA is a prerequisite to filing suit, and that failure to

comply can result in dismissal of any lawsuit. FBN For additional information or to schedule an appointment with an attorney, visit Aspey Watkins Diesel’s website at awdlaw.com or call 928-774-1478. Aspey Watkins & Diesel’s Flagstaff office is located at 123 N. San Francisco Street on the third floor in the AWD Building next to Heritage Square.

Jason Bliss is a partner at Aspey Watkins & Diesel where he litigates construction and personal injury disputes. Trevor Kortsen is an associate at Aspey Watkins & Diesel where he handles construction disputes as well as estate planning matters.

JULY 2021 // Flagstaff Business News

@flagstaffbusinessnews OLYMPICS continued from page 23

meet the dietary needs of teams from all over the globe, with menus approved by coaches, keeping their bodies healthy and functioning at optimal performance levels. Some examples of meals prepared for teams include Japan’s Butano Kakuni, Italy’s Pasta Carbonara and Britain’s Burrito Bowls. Fun Fact #6: Flagstaff’s elite athletes get results, as demonstrated at the 2016 Rio Olympics: 218 athletes, 39 medals, 30 countries; overall 84 Olympic and Paralympic medals. A great many of the world-class athletes who have trained in Flagstaff have snagged Olympic medals, won world championships and set world records. In swimming alone, athletes who did their altitude training in Flagstaff have won more than 200 Olympic and Paralympic medals over the last five Summer

Olympic Games. Let’s see what Tokyo brings! Fun Fact #7: If Flagstaff were a country, and could lay claim to its athletes the way actual countries do in their tallying of medal counts, it could boast being a Top 10 nation over the course of the last five quadrennial cycles (the four-year summer Olympic cycle). There are more than 200 participating countries. Let the games begin! This summer, as we enjoy the excitement of the Olympics in Tokyo, pay close attention to an estimated 200 athletes chasing their dreams of a medal with a Flagstaff high-altitude training edge. Learn more about the Flagstaff trained athletes selected to compete on teams from the Olympic trials at discoverflagstaff. com. FBN

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Combatting Compassion Fatigue By Keelyn Riley, LCSW, CYT, RYT

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hat happens when the provider, the caregiver, starts to burn out? Science reveals that we experience a change biochemically when we have taken on too much. Compassion fatigue creates a whole host of symptoms, including irritability, impatience, exhaustion, intolerance, dread, lack of clarity, poor motivation, a decline in personal well-being regarding sleep, health and mood, a transfer of stress to personal life, the internal eye roll, boredom, feeling of heaviness, forgetfulness, procrastination, avoidance, resentment, judgmentalness and aversion. Compassion fatigue results in a mind-body effect, which can activate a chronic low-grade sympathetic nervous system (SNS) response, resulting in a number of problems such as poor digestive health, insomnia, low immunity, inflammation, serotonin imbalances, muscular tightness, respiratory tension, anxiety and depression. When we are tired, we are more easily “triggered” in our work with others. We start to take things personally and make the client, or loved one, issue about us. We react, project, defend, judge, name call and transfer our frus-

trations with the individual onto them, ourselves and others. Of course, this is not helpful to clients, family members, business associates or ourselves. Perhaps we who go into this work, or family members caring for loved ones, do so because we have a huge capacity for empathy. We can literally feel the pain others hold, so we want to help, because we care so deeply. As empaths, we are like sponges, we absorb. Eventually, the sponge becomes saturated and we cannot hold anymore. We begin to not be able to tell the difference between what is our issue, and what is not ours. Our boundaries are blurred. However, there are ways to maintain balance through self-care. It’s important to remain mindful of our own triggers, feelings, body and breath. Balancing the nervous system/adrenals can be aided through exercise, which releases tension and increases the feelgood hormones. Relaxation practices like yoga and meditation can be beneficial. And, adopting a habit of letting go and leaving the work at work can help maintain personal joy. Keep pleasurable activities in your life. Involve friends, play and have fun! FBN

Back2Basics Outdoor Adventure Recovery helps young men overcome addictions. Courtesy photo mental health since 1994 and has been a primary therapist and program contributor for the last eight years at Back2Basics Outdoor Adventure Recovery. She began teaching yoga in the late 90s as an addition to a focus in holistic health and coaches professionals on addressing the symptoms of burnout. She specializes in the treatment of addictions and somatic related disorders.

Keelyn Riley LCSW,CYT, RYT has worked in

Back2Basics combines residential therapeutic counseling with experiential outdoor adventures to treat individuals with substance and alcohol addiction and lead them through rehab and recovery into long-term sober living for a positive meaningful life. The program (up to six months) is designed for young adult males, ages 18 to 30. Clients are exposed to a weekly combination of both wilderness adventures and residential programing. The

program is highlighted by spending time in the beautiful serene wilderness where individuals are physically challenged, their minds are cleared and they learn ways to defeat old addictive thinking patterns through various outdoor adventures. For more information about Back2Basics, visit Back2basicsoutdooradventures. com, call 928-814-2220 or email rduprez@ b2badventures.com.

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JULY 2021 // Flagstaff Business News

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Strategies to Treat Foot, Leg Ulcers Before They Start By Anthony Rosales, DPM, FACFAS

issues with the mechanics of the foot or leg. Foot and ankle surgeons have to dig deep to find the underlying causes and use treatment methods beyond just caring for the wound itself to fix the problem and prevent the wounds from reoccurring. Structural factors of the foot and leg can lead to foot sores caused by rubbing or an imbalance. When the patient also has circulatory issues, a sore on the foot can be difficult to heal. We work with a patient to change the mechanics of the foot so the rub creating the ulcer is alleviated, especially to prevent sores from

T

he key to managing dangerous foot and leg wounds is preventing reoccurrence. People with reoccurring foot sores or ulcers are in a constant battle to save their feet from amputation. Nearly 85 of lower extremity amputations are preceded by foot wounds that simply won’t heal or keep coming back. But, is there more than meets the eye with these type of wounds? Foot ulcers can be caused by many different ailments in the body, from diabetes to circulatory problems, to

// Structural factors of the foot and leg can lead to foot sores caused by rubbing or an imbalance. When the patient also has circulatory issues, a sore on the foot can be difficult to heal. We work with a patient to change the mechanics of the foot so the rub creating the ulcer is alleviated, especially to prevent sores from appearing repeatedly, a warning sign for amputation. // AWD LAW for FBN 4 FIN.pdf

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appearing repeatedly, a warning sign for amputation. Procedures to stabilize the foot and help with rubbing include: lengthening and releasing tendons (tendon balancing and transfers) to help feet and ankles move more efficiently; cutting of the bones (osteotomies) to reposition them in a more aligned position; fusing the joints (arthrodesis) to create stability in the foot/ ankle; replacing the joint (arthroplasty) to restore joint range of motion; and correction of deformities such as hammertoes, bunions, flat foot, high arches and bone spurs. How can patients help keep foot ulcers at bay? Foot and ankle surgeons advise heeding “early warning signs” that prevent difficult-to-heal wounds on the feet before they happen. Telltale signs that an ulcer may be around the corner include: N Swelling. Look for a larger than normal area on the foot or ankle. The foot or ankle may look puffy or engorged and larger than the other. N Temperature. Look for temperature changes in the feet. When the skin feels too hot or too cold, there may be cause for alarm. Cold feet might mean a circulatory issue, whereas hot feet might mean

infection. N Color changes. Look for redness in the skin. Often before ulcers develop, there is redness and even other colors that appear before the skin forms an ulcer. N Calluses. If a callus changes colors or develops dark, «dried blood» colored spots in them, it may be time to have a foot and ankle surgeon look at it for a proper diagnosis. Paying close attention to feet to prevent injuries can also decrease the likelihood of infection. Patients can take the following precautions to protect their feet: N Inspect feet daily using a flashlight and a mirror to help see the bottoms of the feet. N Use preventive skin care. If a patient has dry, cracking feet, moisturizing them is critical to prevent sores. Control moisture that can result in blisters by using powder to keep feet dry. N Wear protective and fitting shoes and socks in the house at all times to prevent injury to the feet. Change socks daily, and more often if feet tend to get sweaty. Avoid socks with holes or seams. N See a foot and ankle surgeon annually for a monofilament test

to screen for the loss of protective sensation in feet. To keep feet healthy, foot and ankle surgeons agree, being proactive is key. Patients who experience repeat foot ulcers fare best when they take charge of their foot health with the help of a foot and ankle surgeon. FBN For more information on foot wounds and ulcers, contact Dr. Anthony Rosales, DPM in Flagstaff. Anthony Rosales DPM, FACFAS, a foot surgeon with offices in Flagstaff and Page, is board certified in foot surgery by the American Board of Foot and Ankle Surgery. He is a member of the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons.

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Flagstaff Business News // JULY 2021 flagstaffbusinessnews.com STDs continued from page 34

What is the Right Gun For Me?

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By Rob Wilson

he most common question we hear from new customers has to be, “What is the right gun for me?” It makes sense that someone new to firearms is looking for a recommendation from a sales representative that will help narrow the selection from what can be a bewildering array of choices. Often, that rep will recommend something without fully understanding the intended use for the gun and the customer’s abilities. Typically, the choice is something small and light.

Frequently, it’s a revolver. The reality is, only one person can answer this question, and it’s you. Handguns are like shoes: you’ve got to find the one that fits if you want to be happy. It needs to fit your hand physically and also fit the desired uses. You would not select the same shoe to go hiking as you would to slip into getting out of bed in the morning. Similarly, you wouldn’t want the same firearm for home defense as you would for concealed carry. We recommend that your first handgun be a full-sized firearm.

// Handguns are like shoes: you’ve got to find the one that fits if you want to be happy. It needs to fit your hand physically and also fit the desired uses. You would not select the same shoe to go hiking as you would to slip into getting out of bed in the morning. //

MARKET continued from page 28

Rosie: We’ve definitely seen that trend of “not flying” through the pandemic. People have simplified their lives and found that they can have a beautiful situation without having to get on an airplane. Freddi: And not having to fly your whole family to Hawaii gives you a lot more discretionary income to be in Flagstaff! FBN: How can homebuyers improve their chances for a successful offer and compete with cash offers? Rosie: Buyers can make sure they are qualified for a loan, know how much they can afford and where they want to live. Freddi: They need to have a wish list. They can say to their realtor, “Here’s my Top 10 and here’s the other 10 that I can be flexible about.” In this market, they are never going to get 100% of everything they want. If they understand that in the beginning… Rosie: …then they get to live in Flagstaff!” Freddi: My mantra is, “Make it easy for a seller to say ‘Yes.’” Show that you’re pre-qualified and that you have the cash to pay the difference if the home doesn’t appraise at the level of your offer. Have a quick inspection. Be flexible with your closing date based on the seller’s needs. Work with a seasoned professional. Rosie: I had that situation just recently with two instances. I had 12 offers on

These are well suited for home defense, have enough mass to reduce the felt recoil and are inherently more accurate. Once you have mastered the fundamentals with a full-sized handgun, you’ll be much better prepared for a compact or sub-compact concealed carry firearm. Part of handgun selection is choosing the caliber of the firearm. You should choose a firearm caliber that you are comfortable with for accurate shooting. That may be a .22 LR, which is a low-power round usually not recommended for personal defense. A 9mm or .380 caliber handgun is most frequently used for both home defense and concealed carry. These offer the best compromise between stopping power and recoil/size. Regardless of the caliber you choose, what matters most in a defensive situation is accuracy, so make sure you are comfortable shooting the firearm you choose so you’ll practice regularly. Ultimately, test firing a firearm before buying it will be the best way you can determine what firearm you should purchase. Indoor shooting ranges offer a wide variety of rental handguns so you can find the one

that both fits you and with which you are most accurate. You should rent a minimum of two to three handguns and test your ability to hit a target between five and seven yards away. While testing it, ask yourself how it feels in your hand. Can you reach all of the controls comfortably? Are you able to operate the slide to load and unload the firearm? And, most importantly, with which one are you most accurate? While price will play a role in any purchasing decision, remember that this is a device you may be counting on to save your life. You don’t need to spend exorbitantly, but you should go with one of the major manufacturers like Sig Sauer, Glock, Ruger, Smith & Wesson and Springfield. These firearms offer great quality and all have excellent support from the manufacturer, should it be required. 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.

not something to be embarrassed about or feel ashamed of having. They are equal opportunists and they do not discriminate. Make the decision to be a person in your community who is doing what needs to be done to stop the spread of these STDs and help stop the stigma associated with having any of them. They are treatable and curable, but people must know they are infected in order to stop the spread. Of course, the best course of action is to prevent STDs altogether, but staying educated, practicing safe sex and getting tested are the three most important things a person can do to stay healthy. Take action and get tested today! 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.

LOWELL OBSERVATORY continued from page 3

one home and 20 offers on the other. Neither sellers chose the cash offer. I want to give buyers hope that that can indeed happen. Some buyers have been looking for over a year and it’s very frustrating for them. It’s tough for us, too, because we get involved. Freddi: When your buyer starts crying, it’s just heartbreaking. Sometimes a personal letter to the seller helps. If I have raised my children in this home and two offers come in that are fairly equal, I most likely would be drawn to a purchaser who wants to continue the wonderful memories I am leaving behind. My best advice for my buyers is: Be prepared. Be flexible. Be persistent. It takes a lot of “No”s to get to a “Yes.” FBN For more advice from The Golden Girls of Real Estate, go to flagstaffbusinessnews. com/tags/freddi-paulsrud/. Rosemary “Rosie” Lamberson is a real estate agent with Russ Lyon Sotheby’s International Realty. Her office is located at 1750 S. Woodlands Village Blvd., Suite 200, in Flagstaff. She can be reached at 928-853-3626 or rosemary.lamberson@ russlyon.com. Freddi Paulsrud is an associate broker with Russ Lyon Sotheby’s International Realty. Her office is located at 219 N. Humphreys St., in Flagstaff. She can be reached at 928-853-3737 or freddi. paulsrud@russlyon.com.

Lowell Observatory Deputy Director for Education Samantha Gorney, Arizona State Representative Wendy Rogers and observatory Sole Trustee W. Lowell Putnam stand at the future site of the Kemper and Ethel Marley Foundation Astronomy Discovery Center. Photo by Kevin Schindler

ADC to Northern Arizona, Lowell Observatory Director Jeff Hall said, “The ADC will be a huge leap forward in our ability to inspire young and old alike about science and astronomy, and we hope it will be an outstanding resource for Flagstaff and Northern Arizona residents as well as the many visitors to our region.” “This groundbreaking is simply groundbreaking. State-of-the-art technology that will become not just a local but a national treasure,” said Deasy. “And with our sacred mountain and dark skies, [the ADC will] bring people from around the globe to enjoy what Flagstaff has to offer.” The ADC represents the second phase of Lowell Observatory’s expansion of its visitor experience, following the opening of the Giovale Open Deck Observatory two years ago. For more information about the ADC, including floor plans and exhibit descriptions, visit lowell.edu/astronomy-discovery-center/. FBN

JULY 2021 // Flagstaff Business News

@flagstaffbusinessnews

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LIGHT continued from page 35

focus the light toward the ground. The group learned that amber bulbs are better for nocturnal wildlife than blue-ish white light. HomCo Chief Financial Officer and General Manager Dan Groth spoke directly to fixture manufacturer Westinghouse to secure a discounted package deal for Walnut Canyon Village. “If we can get a better rate, we’ll pass it on to the community,” said Groth, a former general contractor familiar with Flagstaff’s lighting ordinances. “We started stocking the fixtures regularly. Now, anybody in Flagstaff can go to our electrical department and find all of our dark-sky fixtures in one section.” For each of the 76 homes in Walnut Canyon Village, the HOA was able to purchase one fixture for each home that lights up the street address. Auberle says most homeowners have chosen to purchase and install the same fixture for their other four outdoor lights. “It has made a difference. The initiative has really encouraged others to do it voluntarily,” he said. “And, it’s a great deal. I’m willing to go to a more energy-efficient, low-lighting fixture and it didn’t break the bank.” “Unshielded glary porchlights is how light pollution hits most people – at home, where they live,” said Luginbuhl, a retired U.S. Naval Observatory astronomer. “On their own initiative, the homeowners of Walnut Canyon Village realized how much better they could make their neighborhood with such a simple change – better for the visibility of the house numbers and walkways, and better for visibility of stars. The Coalition appreciates their awareness and assistance in bringing even more stars into Flagstaff night skies!” The homeowners say they are happy to serve as an example for how a neighborhood can help protect and conserve the dark sky resource. “We’d love to talk to anybody who wants the information that we gathered – what’s appropriate for this kind of community, what the Flagstaff Dark Skies Coalition recommends and how to save money on lighting costs,” said Auberle. For Michaels, it’s a home improvement that feels great outside and even better inside, deep in her soul. “It’s huge when you can see the stars and infuriating when you can’t, particularly up here where we usually have these marvelous clear skies.” FBN

Top: Before and after photos show the difference between the glary coach-style light fixtures previously used (left) and the new ones that shield the light and keep it focused on the street address (right). Photos courtesy Lance Diskan Above: Walnut Canyon Village community members report a noticeable dark-sky difference in their neighborhood with the new Westinghouse light fixtures. Photo by Bonnie Stevens

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Flagstaff Business News // JULY 2021 flagstaffbusinessnews.com

RODGERS continued from page 13

almost single-handedly hauled 1.6 million gallons. “That’s two to three times more than usual,” he said. Babbitt Ranches made the decision to sell a number of cattle to decrease the herd and the need for water last fall, but even so, thirsty deer, elk, mountain lions and bear depend on Rodgers to bring precious water to Northern Arizona’s dehydrated wildlands. “We water the wildlife, too. Last year, the elk were on the pipelines. I know Arizona Game and Fish was hauling water along with some of their volunteers. Since last fall on the Cataract Ranch, we had three trucks hauling out of Tusayan. It gets expensive, but you’ve got to do it.” Rodgers had been bringing water from the upper and lower Cedar Ranch wells until the Slate Fire started last month near the historic ranch north of the San Francisco Peaks. There was concern the fire would impact the well. “The winds were squirrely,” he said. “No one was living there, but that’s where I keep the water truck. I took the truck and the generator and now I’m operating from Nordic Village.” Firefighters were able to burn and remove vegetation around the site and set up sprinklers to protect the structures including the ranch house, barn, water pumps and tanks. Only minimal damage occurred to the

powerline. Cedar Ranch has been in operation since the late 1800s. At one time, it served as a stagecoach stop between Flagstaff and the Grand Canyon where the horses were switched out. For 38 years, Rodgers has been working for Babbitt Ranches. His family came to Arizona in the late ‘60s, leaving their Oklahoma ranch when the cattle market dropped. “We moved to the Thurston Ranch west of Grand Canyon Village. That’s where I finished high school and how I got associated with the Babbitts. John Babbitt was running the operations then. I was given the chance to go on that spring wagon for Cataract Ranch when I was 15.” Rodgers’ formal introduction to Babbitt Ranches started with the annual Colt Sale in 1983. He was hired as a full-time cowboy to work at Harbison Camp. Part of the job was to make sure there was water there, but in those days, there was so much water, he didn’t have to haul any. In 2017, the late Ranch Manager Victor Howell asked him to become the ranch’s waterman. “He said, ‘You could manage the water.’ But that’s not exactly what happened,” said Rodgers. “The water manages me!” Rodgers says he accepted the job on two conditions: “that my wife, Lori, could ride with me and that I could have my pet horse.”

Lori was born and raised in Flagstaff. The couple has been married for 37 years. They have four sons and a daughter: Heath, Clay, Jacob, Brittny and Justin. Today, Rodgers works for Clay, who now is the ranch manager on Babbitt Ranches. Jack continues to move water across Northern Arizona’s rangeland. “It seems like every 10 years you go through another cycle of wet and dry, only it seems like the dry cycles are longer than they used to be,” he said. “I’m hopeful it will turn around this summer.”

FAVORITE HOBBY

“Jack’s doing what he loves,” said Lori. “He used to braid and make his own horse reins. That’s something he did before we got married. Now, he comes home so tired at night.”

DESCENDANT OF AMERICAN COWBOYS

“My great grandad was from Louisiana. Sherman’s March [during the Civil War] broke him when they took his horses and cattle. He took what he had left, got a team and a wagon and went to Texas, where he homesteaded,” said Jack. His great-grandfather also worked for legendary ranchers Charles Goodnight and Oliver Loving of Texas, who forged the Goodnight-Loving Trail to drive 2,000

From May to October last year, Jack Rodgers hauled more than 1.6 million gallons of water to tanks like this one on Babbitt Ranches. Courtesy photo

head of Texas longhorns to Fort Sumner, New Mexico, to sell beef to the U.S. Army.

RULES TO LIVE BY

“Jack loves the Lord,” said Lori. “He was raised that in everything you do, you do it as if you are doing it for the Lord.”

THE VALUE OF WATER

“When Jack got hired at Babbitt

Ranches he was told, ‘Every time you go by a water storage, you take the time to check on the water. It’s not just the waterman’s job, it’s everybody’s job,’” said Lori.

RECENT BLESSING

Grandson Patrick Henry Seick was born to daughter Brittny in New Mexico on June 4. FBN

JULY 2021 // Flagstaff Business News

@flagstaffbusinessnews

Growing Need for Forestry Products, Operations in Northern Arizona

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By Chris Pasterz

n this month’s article, we explore how healthy forests support a healthy economy by providing opportunities for work, enhancing tourism and enabling us all to enjoy outdoor recreational activities. Coconino County, in partnership with the Coconino, Kaibab, Apache-Sitgreaves and Prescott National Forests, have enacted Stage Fire Restrictions to mitigate the public safety risk of catastrophic fire and subsequent disastrous flooding, which pose a possible threat for years post-wildfire. It is all too easy to miss how our local economy’s health is linked with our forest’s health, as the connection between having an open campfire and logging trucks is rarely made. To test this point, picture the last time you, your friends and family gathered around an open charcoal BBQ or campfire to grill hotdogs and burgers while avoiding the smoke that seems to follow you no matter where you stand. Now, picture the part of your conversation where you spoke of how great it was that loggers were treating the local forests, thinning the small trees and reducing the risk of catastrophic wildfire. Now, for most people, picturing the BBQ and campfire is easy, but remembering the conversation about lumberjacks, log truck drivers and sawmills is difficult. This illustrates the disconnect between forest health and our normal course of activity. Seeing how unhealthy forests can lead to increased threats to our communities as well as restrictions of our individual recreational activities, we can now discuss how supporting forestry operations helps to improve our community health. One of the primary efforts by Coconino County is its Forest Restoration Initiative, which has been recognized with an Achievement Award from the National Association of Counties (NACo) in May 2021. This recent national award signifies the effectiveness of a county government program as it relates to county resiliency: infrastructure, energy and sustainability. NACo President Gary Moore said, “Over the past year, county officials and frontline employees have demonstrated bold, inspirational leadership. This year’s Achievement Award winning programs illustrate the innovative ways counties build healthy, safe and vibrant communities across America.” While the county leads through its programs, the partnerships with the U.S. Forest Service, Greater Flagstaff Forest Partnership, NAU’s Ecological Restoration Institute and private forest products industry players are critical. They are the impactful organizations that are doing the yeoman’s work when it comes to improving forest health and quality of life for our communities. Job creation comes from the partnership of these organizations as they protect our forests and valuable watersheds, preserve our regional ecosystems,

and manage the timber resources that build our homes and package our goods for transportation. These organizations represent the gears of commerce, which drive a higher quality of life for residents of Coconino County. Community support of these organizations takes many forms, from paying to use the goods and services they provide, like annual National Forest Access Passes and firewood permits and camping in established campgrounds, to finding ways to do increased business-to-business with the forestry product manufacturers. Support comes in non-monetary forms as well, such as community goodwill toward the forestry workers who are managing the forest ecosystems with selective thinning and ground erosion protection work. These active forestry workers, log truck drivers, sawmill operators and heavy equipment operators are doing their work to protect our community, so the wildland firefighters don’t need to be called in to do their work. Community support of forest restoration initiatives and private and public organizations that create jobs while protecting our natural renewable resources and personal property from the destructive forest fires is more important than ever. These initiatives and organizations create jobs while also protecting our natural renewable resources and personal property from destructive forest fires. With Phase 2 of the Four Forest Restoration Initiative (4FRI), logging contractors are expected to be announced soon and there will be more forest activity, more thinning operations and more haul trucks on the roads. As operations become full tempo, it is expected that 1,000 new local jobs will be created. These new jobs will be paying $20 to $30 an hour to the local men and women who will be operating the equipment and machinery that will be protecting our local economy by way of caring for our forests’ health. So, next time you are able to enjoy a charcoal BBQ or open campfire, take a few moments to talk about those forestry workers who keep that possible. For those interested in the Coconino County Forestry Restoration Initiative, email our Forest Restoration Director Jay Smith at jaysmith@coconino.az.gov To learn more about specific business opportunities, please feel free to connect with me by email or phone. FBN

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JOBS continued from page 1

doing business, she added. Arizona will need to prepare more college students for the state’s many new jobs and industries, said Jackson. Other concerns for the greater Flagstaff region, including limited housing and ancillary services like childcare, are issues facing communities throughout the country, although the shortcomings may be magnified in Arizona. The state has come quite a distance from being one of the hardest hit during the Great Recession, said Patrick Ptak of the Arizona Commerce Authority. The senior vice president of executive initiatives said that after 300,000 jobs were lost and $3 million in state revenues dried up, state leaders realized the urgent need for economic diversification. The Arizona Commerce Authority was then created, with the focus on attracting high value industries like aerospace, defense, biopharma and technology. A decade after ACA’s inception, new business construction and renovations are underway across the state, said Ptak. “Arizona offers the complete package, with a highly skilled and growing workforce, low-cost business environment, affordable and reliable energy, and proximity to some of the biggest markets a day’s drive away.” Ptak said these changes in what he calls Arizona’s robust innovation ecosystem will likely continue because tech companies want to be near other

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Renovations like this one are underway throughout Arizona to accommodate business relocations. This 32,000-square-foot Tucson facility will be the new headquarters for CIS Global. The company manufactures electronics products for various technologies, including computers and appliances. Photo by Theresa Bierer

pioneers. Major companies like Intel, Raytheon, Benchmark Electronics and numerous others are driving these advancements in the state, he added, along with Arizona State University, Northern Arizona University and the University of Arizona. A lot of people can look at Arizona’s business growth and wonder how it affects them, Ptak said. He quotes the Bureau of Economic Analysis statistics showing that state residents experienced some of the country’s most significant wage and personal income growth during the past year.

“When you are bringing in more high paying jobs, it has a growth effect for the entire economy, with more people spending money at local restaurants, businesses and traveling to other parts of the state,” said Ptak. Steven Scully, who opened Flagstaff’s Karma Sushi 15 years ago, sees Arizona’s growth as good for business. He doubled his restaurant space during the pandemic, taking a risk in the middle of great uncertainty. His business model was already tailored toward takeout service, which helped with operations when restaurants faced mandatory closures.

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He has a 60-person staff and would like to hire additional employees. Arizonans are comfortable getting out and many are driving to Flagstaff to escape triple-digit temperatures. As company relocations bring more people to the state, Scully hopes Flagstaff residents will insist on maintaining the delicate downtown culture and its small businesses. One solution, said Scully, is that individuals follow the innovative and entrepreneurial spirit seen throughout the state, and open new, locally owned businesses in Flagstaff.

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Delivered right to your mailbox.

www.flagstaff businessnews.com/subscribe INSIDE THE JANUARY

Land Purchase Eyed for Economic Development p. 3

p. 7 Community Profile: Geri Hongeva Promotes Navajo Language through Star Wars p. 13

Scientists Helping Reforestation Efforts in Panama p. 6

Knees

2020 ISSUE:

Forest Health Hero Wally Covington Retires from NAU

Local Veterans Feeling Support from Nation of Patriots p. 4

New Year, New

Doctors and therapists at Rehabilitation Northern Arizona want patients back Hospital of on their feet By V. Ronnie Tierney, FBN

A

fter 400 backcountry hikes into the Grand Canyon, trips down the Colorado 100 River and scores of worldwide excursions spanning a 44-year career, it was no surprise to 65-year-old geologist Wayne Ranney knees began to bother when his him. “I went to the doctor, tried a couple treatments and when they didn’t

he said with a laugh. level of care,” said “The rooms were Dr. fantastic, private work, the doctors and I can’t say enough physician and medical Richard Holt, said I would be about the director. a good candidate Complete with 24/7 for bilateral replace- staff. They were very attentive, ment – that is double caring and professional. When coverage, an on-site physician knee surgery pharmacy I left, with three – so I agreed,” said hugs were all around.” full-time pharmacists, Ranney. “The surgery went well nursing and patient With a staff of 120, and care technicians, the Rehabilionly took two hours.” surprisingly tation Hospital of Northern Arizona full-time occupational, speech and opened in February A big boost for physical therapy, Ranney in his Holt said, “There 2018. The post-op recovery is 40-bed facility is nothing like us in was the care he the only rehabilNorthern Arizona received at the Rehabilitation itation care facility and now patients in Northern can stay in the Hospital of Northern Arizona and is a Arizona. “I spent joint-commissioned community that is close to their 12 days in recovery accredited hospital. “Before homes and families there, which I and get worldwe believe helped to opened here, patients class rehabilitation save my marriage,” care.” would have to travel literally hours Ranney says the food is great, to get this type/ Continued on

PHX & LAX

8 FLIGHTS A DAY 7 DAYS A WEEK Please consider being dropped off as parking is limited.

Game On: ‘Flagsta Local’ Rewards ff Shopping, Helping , Giving Players

Mountain Sports Owner Lisa Lamberson make a difference says the Flagstaff in the community. Local movement “When dollars are Lamberson, shown brings spent locally, businesses awareness to actions that here with Mountain Patagonia to grant Sports General Manager have more to give $10,000 to the Azulita back.” Britni Montague, program promotes reducing single-use Project, represented by Maria Campbell recently partnered with plastics, like plastic straws, in Flagstaff’s and James Q. Martin. The service industry. January Courtesy photo

2020 | Issue 1 Volume

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earn points and a chance at prizes for ‘actions that matter;’ businesses have more to give back

By Bonnie Stevens, FBN game thought up by the Economic Vitality t is like Jumanji Diviwithout killer ostriches. Flagstaff the sion and Discover Flagstaff Local is a community-wide tourism folks at the City Flagstaff, and everybody of wins.

I

It involves deeds that benefit the greater good and earn players points. Flagstaff Local is similar to some video games in which the better you do, the better your health, except in this case, the better the health of the community. Mountain Sports Flagstaff Continued on

page 30

INSIDE THE FEBRUARY

Flagstaff Shines on Signs p. 4

Neighborhood Barbershop Expanding p. 5 Barrett-Jackson

Harnessing the

State’s largest wind farm to produce jobs and millions electricity, in economic impact to region

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By Bonnie Stevens,

FBN

rizona’s largest wind energy project, the Chevelon Butte Wind Farm, is expected to have turbine blades spinning in a remote area south of Winslow by the end of 2021, and power the region with an estimated $8 million in indirect economic benefits during the construction phase.

Gleams with Car Show Tradition p. 11

2020 ISSUE:

Community Profile: Scotty McPeak Promotes Olive Oil, Healthy Living p. 13 Lowell, ERAU Share Cosmic Forces p. 16

Wind

customers by 2050. “We’re pretty excited. “We This project sPower are super excited,” said fits with our vision Senior Permitting and comprehenManager sive plan to look sPower, a Salt Lake Terrance Unrein. at renewable energy “This is the right City-based renewable energy sources,” said Coconino project for Arizona developer, received and County unanimous approval Supervisor Matt and Navajo counties’ for Coconino Ryan. to move forward communities at on the project from the right time, especially At full build-out, both Coconino the wind farm with the coal and Navajo counties is expected to be plant closures. Wind two or three times and energy is a great Corporation Commission,the Arizona larger than any opportunity for other operating our future and I which wind this is one think company officials energy project in of the best projects say is a rare feat the state, with 164 we’re for any wind farm, turbines spread ever going to see across 42,000 acres much less one of in the area, given its this size. This came and generating 477 incredibly remote just weeks before and windy location, megawatts, the APS announced equivalent of enough proximity to viable its goal transmission infraelectricity to 100% clean, carbon-free to deliver power a structure, and planned electricity to people. community of about 150,000 lack to threatened or endangeredof impacts species.” Continued on

PHX & LAX

8 FLIGHTS A DAY 7 DAYS A WEEK Please consider being dropped off as parking is limited.

page 41

CCC C-LAB Opens for Students to Gain Hands-O n Skills

Upgraded construction technology shop made possible Foundation grant with Del E. Webb By Larry Hendricks,

Del E. Webb Foundation President John B. the $1 million in Lees shows off grant funding the a hammer he received college received Street campus. in gratitude from to help with the Courtesy photo CCC for remodel of the C-LAB on the Fourth

February 2020

| Issue 2 Volume

13

C

FBN

oconino Community College alumnus William Gonzales stood in the space with a smile on his face.

He ran his hand along the workstation, felt the sawdust.

The Coconino Community College C-LAB for Construction Technology Management students has officially opened for students. More The smell of newness than filled people were on hand 50 the shop. Metal surfaces, once for the late-January dull, gleamed. Tools, ready for celebration. ribbon-cutting use, lined walls. The newly refurbished shop was “This is just so amazing,” made possible with the help of Gonzales said, glancing a $1 million grant from the Del around. “I wish E. Webb it looked like Foundation. this when I started taking Among those in classes.” attendance Continued on

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FBN

121 E. Birch Avenue, Suite 408 Flagstaff, AZ 86001 Phone 928.864.7440 Fax 928.226.0303 Email: troy@flagstaffbusinessnews.com www.flagstaffbusinessnews.com Publisher: Troy Bix Advertising Manager Ann Herrington | 928-420-4407 Ann@flagstaffbusinessnews.com Account Executives Regina Salas | 928-699-4272 regina@flagstaffbusinessnews.com Deborah “DMK” Mainville-Knight 928-460-4330 dmk@flagstaffbusinessnews.com Gina Attaguile | 702-468-7495 gina@flagstaffbusinessnews.com Editor Bonnie Stevens | 928-380-4349 bonnie.stevens@gmail.com Copy Editor Carolyn Wendell | cwendell@gmail.com Design & Production Rob Ghosh Design | rob@robghosh.com

Website Content Director Darren Choate admin@flagstaffbusinessnews.com Photography V. Ronnie Tierney, Fresh Focuses Photography, Aspen ProMedia, Betsey Bruner, Sue Marceau 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.

JULY 2021 // Flagstaff Business News

@flagstaffbusinessnews BURNING continued from page 1

Butler called off the helicopter and gave the order to back burn – essentially using fire to fight fire – away from the ranch house, creating a buffer around the historic site and leaving nothing to burn between it and the flames. And it worked. The only structural damage was part of a power line that melted.

HISTORIC STAGECOACH STOP

Besides being an important cowboy headquarters, Cedar Ranch was a stagecoach stop in the late 1800s. Tourists would spend $20 to ride from the McMillan hotel at Leroux and Santa Fe Avenue to Grandview Point at the South Rim of the Grand Canyon. The trip included three stops where the team of horses was changed out. One of those was at Cedar Ranch. “For the horses to drink out of the spring, they got big old pine trees, carved them out and lined them up in a series coming down from the spring. And, that’s how they moved the water,” said historian Jim Babbitt. Today, Cedar Ranch is still important to the ranching operation. Also, recreationists from around the world cross through this part of Babbitt Ranches on the Arizona Trail, which parallels the old stagecoach route. Sections of the trail, like this one, are currently closed, along with the Coconino, Kaibab, Apache-Sitgreaves, Prescott and Tonto National Forests. “Even though we have received some rain in parts of the forest recently, we are still experiencing very dry conditions that have kept our fire danger at Extreme,” said Coconino National Forest Public Affairs Officer Brady Smith. “The full closure of the forest is necessary to help reduce the risk of wildfire and remove the human component from that risk while we fight large wildfires currently on the forest. Our law enforcement officers, fire prevention personnel and forest protection officers will be patrolling to ensure compliance with the closure order, and we’re asking folks to please comply with the closure – even if it looks OK to enter.” The Slate Fire, which has charred more than 11,000 acres about 23 miles northwest of Flagstaff, started on June 7, and is still burning. It is one of at least 15 major fires on the Arizona landscape, making this the worst wildfire season since 2006.

FOREST, BUSINESS CLOSURES

Years of drought have made cattle ranching challenging here. Babbitt Ranches water hauler Jack Rodgers has been distributing truckloads of water across Northern Arizona almost daily for more than a year, filling dirt tanks for livestock and wildlife. Between May 1 and the second week in October 2020, he had personally delivered 1.6 million gallons. (See related story on page 13.) The dry conditions and dangerous fire situation are impacting other businesses operating on forest land as well. Gondola cabins hang motionless above the forest canopy at Arizona Snowbowl. Ski resort managers had planned for a busy summer with the new Scenic Gondola whisking sightseers to 11,500 feet for a top-of-the-Peaks view. “The forest closure definitely has a pretty big impact on us,” said Snowbowl Marketing Manager Li Cui. “We’ll be closed for summer operations in the short-term until the forest can reopen again. While this is unfortunate, we understand that this is a necessary measure to keep our forests and our community safe during a time of elevated fire danger and limited firefighting resources.” Seasonal workers will not be working until Snowbowl can reopen, but Cui says full-time year-round employees will continue working during this time, as well as employees at Ski Lift Lodge and Restaurant. “When we reopen, we look forward to welcoming guests back to scenic rides

AT L I T T L E A M E R I C A H O T E L The new Arizona Gondola chairlift waits quietly, suspended above the forest, for summer skyride activity to resume. Courtesy photo

on the Arizona Gondola, summer activities at the base area and on-mountain dining at Agassiz Restaurant.” At nearby Arizona Nordic Village, which had been a refuge for outdoor enthusiasts during the pandemic, staff members have had to send campers packing. “We had become more popular in recent months than even before the pandemic, but the forest closure is not great for business,” said Nordic Village Manager Theo Callan. “We’ve had to cancel so many reservations and had to lay off three people until this is over.” Events like music camp and a bike race have been canceled. Callan is hoping weddings scheduled later this summer will not be impacted. During the closure, some employees are being allowed onsite to continue making improvements on the property. “We look at this as a little break for us to focus on other projects so that when we’re back open, we’ll be even better than we were.”

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FLAGSTAFF FIRE RESTRICTIONS

In the city, Flagstaff has entered into Stage Four fire restrictions. This means all outdoor grills are prohibited, including propane gas, charcoal, pellet and any open flame grills. Sections of the Flagstaff Urban Trails System (FUTS) that provide an entrance into the Coconino National Forest are closed. And, Observatory Mesa and Picture Canyon City Open Space lands are off limits to the public. Dangerously dry conditions also have necessitated the cancellation of Fourth of July fireworks in Flagstaff. “Flagstaff’s forests are beautiful, but very dry,” said City of Flagstaff Economic Vitality Director Heidi Hansen. “Therefore, there was a need to go to Stage 4 fire restrictions and close all forests and trails for the time being.” Lowell Observatory, operating on Mars Hill, which borders the Coconino National Forest and the city, is following their lead. “This means walkers and bikers can’t use Lowell’s land right now. The bigger impact is that both our Anderson Mesa and Lowell Discovery Telescope sites are on National Forest land. Without access to the sites, scientists can’t observe through telescopes at night and engineers aren’t able to care for the instruments and facilities,” said Lowell Historian and Public Information Officer Kevin Schindler. Meanwhile, the closures, which may impact the number of tourists to the mountain town, could create more challenges for local small businesses that have been adapting throughout the pandemic and current labor shortage. “We hope that travelers will continue to visit Flagstaff through the forest closure, as we have many other things to offer during their stay – cool temps, starry skies, great brews and food, and much more,” said Hansen. “We ask that visitors please stay and play responsibly.” FBN

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Flagstaff Business News // JULY 2021 flagstaffbusinessnews.com

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