November 2024

INSIDE THE NOVEMBER 2024 ISSUE: Historic Motel DuBeau Continues to Welcome Travelers p. 3 Top Judge Fights for More Access to Justice in Rural Arizona p. 4

Boutique Brings Romantic Pioneer Chic to Camp Verde p. 10 Video Podcast Studio Opens on Moonshot Campus p. 11

Is Verde Valley the Next Napa Valley? p. 6

Wine Promoter Inducted into Arizona Tourism Hall of Fame p. 14

Transit Center Built with Cutting-Edge Timber Frame

By Peter Corbett, FBN

M

ountain Line bus riders will endure one more winter without an indoor transit center to serve them when cold and snowy weather disrupts their commutes.

Mountain Line’s new Downtown Connection Center is scheduled to open in May ahead of hot sum-

mer weather and monsoons. The $29.5 million facility will be a hub for Mountain Line riders, drivers, dispatchers, operations and administrative staff.

The building is taking shape on the northeast corner of Milton Road and Phoenix Avenue adjacent to the BNSF railroad bridge that spans Milton.

The center will provide accessible

restrooms and customer service for riders, space for dispatchers and a break room for Mountain Line drivers.

Other features include a conference room for board meetings and community gatherings, a police substation and space for a social services agency, said Jacki Lenners, Mountain Line deputy general manager.

It’s all in a two-story,

20,938-square-foot building designed to meet Coconino County’s sustainable building standards. The environmentally-friendly design by HDR Inc. is an all-electric building that includes rooftop solar panels, natural lighting from solar tubes and in-floor heating and cooling.

One other key feature is a mass-timber construction method for Continued on page 35

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Taadidiin Tours Welcomes Visitors to Hidden Canyonlands, Teaches Young Navajos Business Skills

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Taadidiin Tours Guide Marcus Onesalt enhances the visitor experience with gentle flute music, taught to him by his elders. Photo by Bonnie Stevens

November 2024 | Issue 11 Volume 17

By Bonnie Stevens, FBN

avajo legend has it that a woman who once roamed the twisting, spiraling, sundrenched red rock canyonlands near Page continues to watch over the land.

“Lady in Red has her hair down, long and untied, flowing beautifully,” said Taadidiin Tours Reputation Coordinator Angelita Nez. “Normally, Navajo women wear their hair in buns. When we take our hair down, we are in our fierce state. Her figure in the canyon shows her fierceness as the protector of this particular canyon.”

This “particular canyon” is Antelope Canyon X, where Lady in Red, symbolized in rock, saw more than 130,000 visitors last year. The slot canyon is named for the X-shaped opening above that invites the sun to shine in and set the red rock hues aglow. And this is only the beginning of miles of stunning, hidden pathways in a maze of ancient rocks, dripping in sunlight, that fit together like puzzle pieces crafted by time, wind and water.

In 2016, another Navajo woman, Rita

Tsinigine, a mom and grandmother, founded Taadidiin Tours, with much the same goal as Lady in Red – to protect the stunning and sacred landscape. She is accomplishing this through awareness – by sharing the natural beauty, along with the traditions, history and culture of her tribe. Taadidiin Tours owns the exclusive rights to operate in Antelope Canyon X and Cardiac Canyon.

Her son, Logan Tsinigine, an engineer who worked at the now defunct Navajo Generating Station, runs the family-owned company that employs more than 50 people – all Navajo. He added the Corn Pollen Internship program to teach business skills, including marketing, human resources, the tribal legal system and tour operations, to young members of the tribe. The internship is designed after a similar program created by Salt River Project, the primary operator of the Navajo Generating Station, which had employed many tribal members, including Nez, Tsinigine and Taadidiin Cultural Advisor Paul Begay. Through the Corn Pollen Internship, college-bound students can apply for a $4,000 scholarship.

Continued on page 34

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NOVEMBER 2024 // Flagstaff Business News

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Motel DuBeau owners John and Lisa McCulloch are hoping to have the neon sign on the old tower lighting up the night for the Route 66 Centennial. Photo by Austin Corbett

DuBeau Marks Nearly a Century Hosting Weary Route 66 Travelers

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By Peter Corbett, FBN

lagstaff’s Motel DuBeau, one of America’s oldest motor courts, is a survivor, hosting Grand Canyon and Route 66 travelers for 95 years.

Built by Albert DuBeau, the 20-room red brick motel opened in August 1929, roughly two months before the stock market crash that spawned an economic collapse.

DuBeau and his successors managed to keep the neon lights on through the Great Depression, Route 66 realignment, World War II travel restrictions and competition from hundreds of motel rooms built after the war. And then, Interstate 40 bypassed Flagstaff in 1968.

Current owners John and Lisa McCulloch have prospered, operating Motel DuBeau for a quarter century, despite severe travel downturns after the Sept. 11 attacks of 2001, COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and a new wave of multi-story hotels.

The McCullochs presided over a renaissance of the DuBeau in the first decade of the 21st century from its nadir as a hostel for backpackers. In the late ‘90s, the DuBeau was run as a virtual commune, John McCulloch said.

“DuBeau always had a kind of party reputation,” he said. “It took a while to shoo that spirit out of here.”

McCulloch, known as “Johnny Mac,” has worn many hats. He’s been a guitarist and singer-songwriter, carpenter, radio show host and Flagstaff City Councilman from 1990-96.

He ran unsuccessfully in 1997 to unseat Paul Babbitt from the Coconino County Board of Supervisors and in 2002 finished third in a three-way race for Flagstaff mayor.

It turns out McCulloch followed in the political footsteps of DuBeau, who ran for Flagstaff mayor in 1932 and lost by 32 votes. He unsuccessfully challenged the result, claiming dozens of students at Arizona State Teachers College-Flagstaff were ineligible to vote since they were not local residents.

Nevertheless, DuBeau was a successful businessman who turned the motel business over to his son, Neil, and his wife, Frances.

It seems the DuBeau Motel, like an alley cat, has had nine lives in hosting hundreds of thousands of motorists, rail passengers and wanderers passing through Flagstaff. The motel is just south of the tracks at Phoenix Avenue and Beaver Street.

A.E. DuBeau, as he was known, was a French Canadian who saw opportunity in 1926 after federal highway officials designated Route 66 as the northern route across Arizona.

It was the dawn of the motoring age. DuBeau built his U-shaped motor court between 1927 and 1929, with steam-heated garages to lure motorists traveling across the state.

Phoenix Avenue to Mikes Pike was the original alignment of Route 66 through downtown until 1934 when a railroad bridge spanned Sitgreaves Street. When the road was rerouted, DuBeau put up an 80-foot neon sign as a beacon to travelers.

An Arizona Daily Star travelogue in 1931 spoke kindly of the DuBeau: “Inside the city limits and one block south of the (train) depot on Highway 66 is a modern new automobile hotel de Luxe called DuBeau’s Motel Inn, with everything furnished.”

At the time, Flagstaff travelers had limited lodging choices at the Weatherford, Commercial, Monte Vista and Ideal hotels. The Weatherford (1900) and Monte Vista (1927) are Flagstaff’s oldest hotels. Next in line is the 1929 DuBeau, which is also one of the oldest Route 66 motor courts.

The Ideal Hotel, 200 E. Birch Ave., operated at least until the 1960s. In 1976, an arson fire destroyed the Commercial Hotel, 14 E. Santa Fe Ave. (now Route 66).

Other DuBeau operators included Robert and Violet Morison, who came from Minneapolis in 1945 to run the motel, according to a column by Continued on page 30

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Flagstaff Business News // NOVEMBER 2024

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Arizona’s New Chief Justice Focuses on Access to Legal System, Public Trust, Youth Violence Supreme Court Chief Justice Ann A. Scott Timmer is the fourth woman in Arizona history to hold this position

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By Bonnie Stevens, FBN

tating, “We are a legal desert within an actual desert,” Arizona Supreme Court Chief Justice Ann A. Scott Timmer says there are not enough lawyers to go around, particularly in Arizona’s rural communities. Thus, Expanding and Promoting Access to Justice tops her five key goals in her Strategic Agenda, “And Justice for All,” which she is rolling out for her five-year term.

“We have a great system, but what kind of meaningful justice is there – I’m talking about civil justice – if you can’t afford the lawyers? We’re actually 49th out of 50 states in terms of numbers of lawyers per capita,” said Chief Justice Timmer. “The rural areas are really light in lawyers. Even if you find a lawyer, they’re very expensive.

Who can afford it for their consumer debt problems or their landlord/tenant problems or family law if they are getting divorced or have custody matters?”

Noting we have one of the most creative states when it comes to helping people navigate the legal system, Timmer says Arizona was the first to open self-help centers. She adds that the High Court has made it possible for licensed paraprofessionals to practice law in certain designated areas such as city courts for small dollar disputes, misdemeanor crimes where no jail time is involved, and family law.

“We test them. We do background checks. They have an ethics code, and they are actually affiliate members of the State Bar of Arizona,” she said, of the 60 paraprofessionals now operating in the state.

She is also working on creating community justice workers. These would be people who are already employed in social service agencies, for example, and could be licensed to deliver legal advice under the supervision of legal aid firms.

Her hope, she says, is for people to have the option of going to a self-help

center and paying $50 for a lawyer or legal professional to walk them through the process. And, for those who want more, such as legal representation in court, they could choose from a menu of sorts for services and pay accordingly.

MAINTAINING PUBLIC TRUST

Goal two is Maintaining Public Trust and Confidence. She says, “Distrust in courts erodes respect for the law, which is foundational for our democracy.” Thus, Judge Timmer is encouraging judges to be their own spokespeople regarding their case decisions, so that they are the ones explaining what rulings actually mean and what they don’t mean, without relying on the media or others to translate them.

“I’ve told judges in the [judicial] branch and my own colleagues that we have to start getting out there with our own media, our own educational institute. We can’t just send out these rulings and then wait for the media to try to digest them, which can be very complicated.”

Timmer has created a group of media and marketing professionals

Arizona Supreme Court Chief Justice Ann A. Scott Timmer was sworn in for her fiveyear term in the High Court’s top position on July 1, making her the fourth women to serve as chief justice in Arizona history. Courtesy photo

to help judges communicate with the public better. She says she’d like to get a junior council together in middle schools and high schools to find out how students are learning about the court system.

“If we have to be on Tik Tok, we’ll be on Tik Tok, but we need to be able to start communicating with everyone.

It’s so important that we can have confidence and trust in our judicial Continued on page 32

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NOVEMBER 2024 // Flagstaff Business News

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Selling Arizona Visitors want to experience how Arizonans live; winemakers are ready to show them

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By Bonnie Stevens, FBN

Arizona is loved by many, but a lot of it is also largely unknown,” said Arizona Office of Tourism (AOT) Director Lisa Urias in her keynote presentation at the Fall Tourism Forum, hosted by NACOG (Northern Arizona Council of Governments), on Thursday, Oct. 10, in Camp Verde. “A lot of people don’t understand the full breadth of what Arizona has to offer.”

To change that, she discussed how AOT is considering ways to secure more funding for tourism promotion. She also revealed Arizona’s refreshed brand, which was released earlier this year, designed to better communicate the state’s “majestic beauty, vibrant culture and abundant diversity.”

AOT crafted the brand by traveling hundreds of miles across Arizona and asking more than 2,000 Arizonans in 57 communities what

AOT Director Lisa Urias joined NACOG-Economic Workforce Development Regional Director Teri Drew to share insights about Arizona’s visitors at the Fall Tourism Forum hosted by NACOG.

they love about their part of the state.

“Arizonans built and own this story about who we are, what we hold dear and what we want amplified,” said Urias. “Every Arizonan can see a piece of themselves in the new brand.”

The chosen color palette includes turquoise, copper, desert sage, pine

green, sunset magenta and warm sand. The ponderosa pine signifies Northern Arizona, the saguaro represents Central Arizona, and the hummingbird stands for Southern Arizona and its desert wildflowers, she said.

Drawing from 2023 statistics, Urias gave these reasons for updating

Business owners like “Big Mike,” of Route 66 Road Relics in Seligman, engaged with the media panel about promoting businesses and communities in rural Arizona.

Photos by V. Ronnie Tierney, Fresh Focuses Photography

the brand: Arizona has 45.2 million overnight visitors annually; direct travel spending by visitors adds up to $29.3 billion; $4.2 billion is generated in taxes from visitor spending;

and some 187,000 jobs are supported by tourism directly, while another 300,000 are supported by tourism indirectly.

Continued on page 32

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NOVEMBER 2024 // Flagstaff Business News

In Arizona, innovation is everywhere. The Arizona Commerce Authority is proud to support startups at all stages through a comprehensive suite of programs and partners. The Arizona Innovation Challenge, Venture Scale, Venture Raise, Venture Start and Plug and Play accelerateAZ connect founders to mentors, partners, investors and other capital to grow their ventures.

Learn more about how Arizona prioritizes innovation at azcommerce.com/start-up.

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ROSE Community Outreach Specialist Brian Watson has been spreading the word in Northern Arizona about the most common scams. He is working to help people, especially seniors, recognize the signs when bad guys are calling. Photo by Stan Bindell

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Nonprofit Strives to Protect Seniors from Fraud ROSE helps people avoid the scammers

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By Stan Bindell, FBN

rian Watson, community outreach specialist with Resource Outreach to Safeguard the Elderly (ROSE), speaks to groups about preventing seniors from becoming victims of fraud.

During the past 14 months, Watson has given presentations to more than 50 groups and has appeared on television and radio programs, as well as podcasts.

“We can’t catch all the criminals,” he said, “so we want to dry up the scams. Our focus is on prevention.”

Watson, a retired special agent and public information officer with the IRS, has given presentations to the Flagstaff and Prescott police departments as well as the Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office. He also speaks to retirement communities on a regular basis, plus banks and car dealerships. “I will collaborate with anybody about fraud prevention.”

Watson has met with fraud victims, too. He says it is heartbreaking because many lose a lot of money. Some lose their life savings. “It changes how they interact with others because they no longer trust people.”

He offers this list of the common kinds of scams.

Phishing, which is when emails or texts are sent to trick people into giving out private information. “Be skeptical. Don’t click on any links. These are usually weird emails, so don’t open them,” he said.

Tech support scams that say it’s your bank or your computer security system telling you there is a problem and tricking you into giving out private information or asking you for passwords so they can access your computer system. “If you don’t know them, contact the company directly.” he said.

Pig butchering. These are romance scams, usually over a long period of time, asking you to send money through cryptocurrency. Scammers often prey on the lonely whether they are divorced or widowed, he

said. “They shower attention on you. This is a huge worldwide problem. Pig Butchering began in China. “They refer to the victims as pigs and kill you by taking your money.” Watson adds that some of the romance scams have started on Christian dating sites. He also says the United Nations is investigating scam farms in Southeast Asia.

Credit card scams. Scammers may tell their victims their credit card is expiring and ask for personal information,” said Watson.

“You cannot engage with these people.” Instead, he says, contact the company directly to find out if the call is real.

Watson became involved with ROSE when he met founder Joyce Petrowski. She started the nonprofit organization after she was scammed in a romance scheme. Most of the members of the ROSE Board of Directors have been victims of scams, too. While scams hit every age group, seniors are often more susceptible.

Many scams are hard for law enforcement to prove, but those involving cryptocurrency or bitcoin can leave a digital footprint, making it easier for law enforcement agencies to investigate. “Scammers can be caught, but it’s tough because you have to get in line with all the other victims,” he said.

“The best part of this [being involved with ROSE] is working with people, because they are appreciative that someone is looking out for them,” he said.

Watson, who also teaches white collar crime at the University of Arizona, said the most challenging part of the job is funding. As a nonprofit, ROSE is continuously seeking grants and donations and creating fundraising events, such as golf tournaments. FBN Watson has a bachelor’s degree in business and economics from the University of California, Los Angeles.

He is a CPA in California. For more information, email brianwatson@roseadvocacy.org.

@flagstaffbusinessnews

NOVEMBER 2024 // Flagstaff Business News

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Business Woman FBN

of the Month

Dressing for Sage Country Costume seamstress Rebekah Sage opens her new romantic, vintage boutique

By V. Ronnie Tierney, FBN

A

fter losing 100 pounds, Julie Lawson of Camp Verde was excited to finally go out and purchase a whole new wardrobe.

Thankfully, she didn’t have to look far, thanks to Sage Country Boutique, which just opened its doors this month.

Located in the middle of downtown Camp Verde in the historic Wingfield Building, Lawson says it’s her new favorite place to shop. “I love everything about this store. The clothes, the accessories, boots, hats, everything I need is here now and I don’t have to drive an hour away to the big box stores.”

Sage Country Boutique owner Rebekah Sage launched her clothing career working for corporate stores such as Buckle and Maurices. She also worked at several smaller stores in Sedona and Prescott.

“I just loved clothes and loved to shop. In 2003, I joined a group called Society for Creative Anachronism (SCA). They did medieval enactment. I learned how to sew and ended up as their seamstress for the group, making costumes for 40-50 people. I sewed for nine years and even made elaborate belly-dance outfits. I just love that type of era and costuming.”

Switching careers, Sage moved to Sedona for 17 years and worked as a life coach, from which she retired in June. She then opened her first boutique in Camp Verde.

“A friend asked a local business owner, Sheila, at Sheila’s Kitchen restaurant, to see if I could rent space for a women’s clothing store. At the time, I was selling out of my home. A few weeks later, I opened my first boutique starting with just a few pieces of clothing out of my closet and other inventory. It was quaint and cozy, but I learned quickly that I needed more space.”

A few months later, she was driving through downtown Camp Verde. “I saw a ‘For Rent’ sign in the Wingfield Building, one of the oldest buildings in town. I talked to the owner and the next day, he was taking the sign out of the window,” she said. “A couple ladies from the community offered to help me move, so we loaded up merchandise in vans and in my car, took the cash register and started selling.”

Born and raised in Camp Verde, Sage says she felt right at home. Her goal is to carry the largest collection of cute dresses in the Verde Valley.

The style of Sage’s inventory is boho, pioneer, country, vintage and some steampunk, a mixture of trends from

Sage Country Boutique owner Rebekah Sage is delighted to share her women’s clothing finds, a combination of boho, pioneer and country. “It’s innocent, feminine, romantic.” Photos by V. Ronnie Tierney, Fresh Focuses Photography

different historical periods. “I really like that era and color scheme,” she said. “It’s more innocent, feminine, romantic and lighter colors. I like to think that some of the clothes are definitely boutique-quality but less than

Sage and retail associate Emma Miller enjoy helping women find unique dresses and accessories and creating Retail Therapy parties.

half the price. I keep my prices low because I know I’m in a small town and I want inventory to sell so we can keep it rotating.”

“It’s my favorite store,” said Lawson. “I love the style of clothing and accessories. One time I had a dress and it was too small. Rebekah did some research and found me a bigger size. She’s just great and so bubbly and the prices are so reasonable.”

Once a month, Sage will be sponsoring a Retail Therapy Party/Customer Appreciation night where customers can shop for 20% off. “We offer some free local wines and charcuterie boards and we have a lot of fun,” said Sage. “We have a red carpet and we put it down in the middle of the store and customers model their outfits in our spacious store. This helps women feel good about themselves and they have a good time.”

She expects to offer her Retail Therapy Party/Customer Appreciation night on the third Friday of every month, in conjunction with Camp Verde’s 3rd Friday Art Walk. “We plan to do glamour shots at our next party taking fun cell phone shots,” said Sage.

The inventory at Sage Country Boutique includes new items and resale items. The resale items must pass a nine-point inspection. “This includes items that are washed and dried, no odor, no stains, no missing buttons, zippers working, seams intact, no strings, no pilling. We want our customers to know that they are buying quality resale clothing,” said Sage.

Retail associate Emmalynn “Emma” Miller has worked alongside Sage for almost two months. “I really love it here. I’ve been in resale and retail for about five years now, so it’s just easy and Rebekah is a great boss. What is really special about this store is the customers. They’re all so friendly, and it’s really fun when everyone gets together for our Retail Therapy nights.”

When Sage is not dressing women, she enjoys being out in nature – camping, hiking and “taking the dogs down to the creek.” FBN Sage Country Boutique is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., seven days a week, at 564 South Main Street, Suite 105 in Camp Verde. For more, visit the website at www.SageCountryBoutique.com.

NOVEMBER 2024 // Flagstaff Business News

@flagstaffbusinessnews

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The Message is the Medium Flagstaff Video Podcast Studio offers production services on Moonshot Campus

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By Billy Miller, FBN

ix hours and 35 minutes a day: That’s the average time Americans spend in front of a screen.

And for many, that number is even higher. Now, imagine your message reaching its target with professional clarity, without the need for expensive equipment, endless editing or the disappointment of unfulfilled creative visions. That’s what Flagstaff Video Podcast Studio is promising.

This new venture on the Moonshot City of Flagstaff Campus strives to make high-quality content production look easy. Founder Aaron Gencarelle is a seasoned video producer with more than 32 years of experience across television networks, commercial production and international shows. Gencarelle has run his own video production business since 2010 and created The 5th Quarter AZ on YouTube. Now, he’s channeling that expertise into a brick-and-mortar studio.

Founder and video producer Aaron Gencarelle says, “If you don’t have an online presence, you don’t really have a business. Photos by Billy Miller

“I finally secured a location in Flagstaff, which can be tough to do,” he said. “Moonshot’s space is perfect for startups and incubators. It’s exactly where I wanted to bring this vision to life after working virtually during the pandemic.”

Moonshot President and CEO Scott Hathcock is equally bullish on the idea, “Whether you’re building

brand awareness, connecting with your community or sharing valuable insights, podcasting provides an authentic and accessible medium. At Moonshot’s Flagstaff Campus, we believe in empowering our entrepreneurs with the tools they need to succeed, and a podcasting studio offers them an innovative way to amplify their voices, expand their reach

Gencarelle works with local clients Amber Poturalski and Morgan Boatman to create a professional video podcast.

and engage with both local and global markets.”

As Gencarelle put it, “If you don’t have an online presence, you don’t really have a business.” While free platforms like Instagram, YouTube and TikTok allow their users to easily film and post content, there’s a big difference between casual phone recordings and polished, professional

media. Gencarelle calls it the “Two 10s” rule: “It takes 10,000 hours and $10,000 to get it right. Sure, anyone can grab their phone, hit record and make a video. But will it sound good? How will you edit it? How will you distribute it? Most people find themselves with poor- quality content that takes way too long to produce.

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

Raising a Glass to Verde Valley Wine Promoter Paula Woolsey

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or her decades of work in the Verde Valley wine industry and helping to elevate Arizona wines to the global stage, Paula Woolsey has received the 2024 Tourism Hall of Fame Award.

“We raise our glasses to toast Paula as this year’s Arizona Tourism Hall of Fame Award honoree, as her vision and hard work have been instrumental in making Arizona a rising star in the world of wine,” said Arizona Office of Tourism Director Lisa Urias.

As owner of the Cellar Door Unhinged, a sales and marketing business, President of Verde Valley Wine Consortium, adjunct professor at the Yavapai College Southwest Wine Center, wife, mom and grandmother, Woolsey’s glass is certainly full.

“I didn’t even know I was nominated until I got a letter from the Arizona Tourism office saying I had won,” she said.

“Decades ago, when there were few wine producers in Arizona, Paula both visualized a prosperous future for Arizona’s wine industry and, more importantly, got to work taking the steps to craft that vision into reality,” said Urias.

Woolsey found her home in Cottonwood when the city boasted one stop sign and no traffic lights. “That was in 1988 and, by the way, there was no wine industry,” she said. “I worked at various resorts in Sedona doing food and beverage and my husband, Eric, who has a degree in nursery management, worked at a local nursery. We then moved into the restaurant industry and opened up the Asylum Restaurant in Jerome. We ran it for 10 years before selling it. I wanted to focus more on Arizona wine.”

Although she says she didn’t ap-

preciate it at the time, wine was in her genes. Her father was an importer of wine in the ‘70s and ‘80s. “I was born and raised in Los Altos, California. After my father retired from Hewlett Packard, he became a wine importer. He also built wine cellars for wealthy clients around Los Altos. My grandfather would come out from Chicago during the summer. He planted a small vineyard. He would make one barrel of wine in our garage.”

In a short video viewed at the Arizona Governor’s Conference of Tourism, Sedona Film Festival Executive Director Patrick Schweiss reminisced with Woolsey about her efforts.

“Sedona was a smaller town back then. I knew a lot of people and Paula knew a lot of people,” said Schweiss in the film. “Everything we needed was a phone call away. She has arranged and provided every drop of wine for every event, fundraising, film festival – you name it, she’s done it. Paula realized a partnership with the film festival was valuable for everyone because they come here as tourists and locals come here and watch films and party and then taste the wines grown and produced here in the Verde Valley and come back for more. Paula has been involved in everything wonderful about the wine industry here in the Verde Valley. She’s so worthy of this award.”

MJ Keenan, owner/winemaker with Caduceus Cellars & Merkin Vineyards, also commented about Woolsey in the video. “It took people like Paula to get Verde Valley on the map and basically force people to try our wines. Paula is a bully; she’ll make you try the wine. Her being able to tell the story accurately has been critical. For her to be able to get out into the state and actually be considered for an award like this means

Gregarious Paula Woolsey is recognized for envisioning a prosperous future for Arizona’s wine industry and taking the steps to make it happen. Photos by V. Ronnie Tierney, Fresh Focuses Photography

that we’re doing something right and that she’s doing something right. She is the cornerstone of that approach of storytelling.”

As adjunct professor at Yavapai Community College, Woolsey taught the first wine classes there and was instrumental in raising funds to develop the Southwest Wine Center in Clarkdale.

“It was a long haul. We didn’t have a lot of support and had to earn every dime. A lot of businesses and individuals donated,” said Woolsey. “It took a long time, but it now pays for itself. It makes me happy.”

The Southwest Wine Center now has 300 graduates from the program.

“Yavapai College is only one of three

in the country that does what we do, from planting the grapes, pruning to crushing to labeling and then teaching how to sell at our wine-tasting room,” said Woolsey. “Other colleges do not have actual vineyards on site like we do.”

She also notes that grape growing is a low water usage crop and that next to Argentina, Arizona has the biggest diurnal shift in the world.

“Some people don’t even know we have wine in Arizona, but we do, and it tastes great,” said Woolsey, who has served on the Sedona Wine Fest committee, an event that climbed to the second most popular wine festival in the state, according to a 2023 Arizona Wine Tourism Industry Growth and

Opportunities report.

“Spending by wine visitors has grown by an astounding 677% since 2011, from $31 million in 2011 to $241 million in 2023. That increase doesn’t happen without advocates like Paula promoting Arizona as a premier destination for award-winning wine and wine experiences,” stated Urias.

WHO I ADMIRE

My mother. She was an artist, grew up in Chicago and made beef tips at the original Stouffer’s Restaurant. She moved to California, went to college and was an art teacher. She had three kids in four years. When I hit 14, she had opened one of the first antique stores in 1970. It was the biggest antique shop on the West Coast.

FAVORITE SAYING

“Live long and prosper,” by Spock (Leonard Nimoy) on Star Trek.

MY SUPERPOWER

I’m a Nana. I have a lot of superpowers, but that’s the best.

LAST TIME I PUSHED MY BOUNDARIES

I went to a concert about three weeks after a knee replacement in a wheelchair and walker.

FAVORITE VACATION DESTINATION

Woolsey, a Yavapai College adjunct professor, showcases Verde Valley wines in the Southwest Wine Center tasting room.

Los Barriles on the Baja California Peninsula. Our dad bought a compound on the Sea of Cortez. I love Arizona Office of Tourism Director Lisa Urias honored Woolsey, recipient of the 2024 to just sit on the beach. FBN Tourism Hall of Fame Award, at the Fall Tourism Forum last month in Camp Verde.

NOVEMBER 2024 // Flagstaff Business News

@flagstaffbusinessnews

More than 500 people attended the Remodel Grand Opening Celebration last month. Courtesy photo

Expanding with the Times, Building on a Legacy Flagstaff Athletic Club celebrates 45 years with a major expansion

By Betsey Bruner, FBN After nearly half a century, Flagstaff Athletic Club has gotten a facelift and some significant restructuring work done. The well-loved facilities – FAC West on W. Route 66 and FAC East on North Country Club Drive – were in need of a remodel and an expansion, according to management.

The club hosted a Remodel Grand Opening Celebration on Saturday, Oct. 12 at FAC West following a $2.5 million remodeling project that has been in the works for about five years, including an extensive planning period. Construction began in earnest in December 2023.

Holly Garretson, the widow of FAC founder

Jim Garretson, has played a key role in managing both clubs, while steering the renovation and supervising major improvements with help from staff, family and friends.

“It’s a big deal for us; we’ve been planning it for a really long time,” she said about the major expansion project, adding that the push to remodel has not been about meeting competition or making a return on investment.

“It comes from the heart, from the gut,” said Garretson. “We were just stagnant with small spaces. We’ve been so busy, people were packed in. They couldn’t even get to machines and [we had] so many people in the weight room.”

Straightline Builders, in Flagstaff since Continued on page 30

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Guests competed in pull-up and bench press competitions during the celebration. Courtesy photo

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14

Flagstaff Business News // NOVEMBER 2024

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Flagstaff Family Food Center Acquires Grand Canyon Food Pantry

F

lagstaff Family Food Center (FFFC), which has for more than three decades run a food bank and kitchen serving Northern Arizona, has assumed operations of the Grand Canyon Food Pantry Inc. (GCFPI), ensuring its continued service to those who live and work in and around Grand Canyon National Park.

“We’re proud to carry on the important work that President Mike Scott started seven years ago,” said FFFC President and CEO Ethan Amos. “We expect a seamless transition, ensuring that everyone who uses the pantry continues to receive the high-quality service they’ve come to appreciate.”

Scott, who was honored earlier this year as a “Hunger Action Champion” at the FFFC’s Anti-Hunger Summit, approached FFFC about taking over the pantry so that he could retire from his volunteer role as director.

The food pantry is open three days a week, delivers food boxes weekly to the Havasupai families living within the Grand Canyon National Park, and holds a monthly mobile food

pantry in Tusayan in front of the town hall.

The inspiration for the GCFPI came from a conversation in 2017 between Scott and Matthew Vandzura, then chief ranger at the park.

Vandzura noted that more than half the children in the local school system received subsidized lunch. What did they do, the two men wondered, when school was out? During the next two years, volunteers provided students with meals during the summers.

The mission of the organization quickly expanded when they opened an emergency food pantry in December 2018, to help workers furloughed because of the six-week government shutdown that closed the national park. Plans to create a permanent food bank were made and the National Park Service provided a location, the old jail in the park, where the pantry still operates today.

It is estimated that about 18% of the families that live in the national park benefit from the pantry.

Currently, the operation is run entirely by volunteers, including Scott.

Grand Canyon National Park representatives are working with the Flagstaff Family Food Center as it takes over operations for the Grand Canyon Food Pantry in the wake of President Mike Scott’s retirement. Shown here are Tim Joyce, Jan Balsom, Luke Lasiloo, Ceara Chirovsky, Ed Keable, Ethan Amos, Mike Scott, Heather Lapre, Jennifer O’Neill and Justin Cully. Courtesy photo

FFFC will have a paid employee to oversee management of the pantry, but Scott and Amos said volunteers are still essential to the operation of the organization.

“The heart and soul of organizations like FFFC and Grand Canyon Food Pantry are our volunteers,” said

Amos. “They embody our mission of ‘Neighbors Feeding Neighbors, Every Day’ and make it possible for us to change lives.”

Even though he is retiring from directing the pantry, Scott plans to be one of those volunteers.

“Next to raising a family, working

with so many willing people, businesses, the public sector and other food banks to bring a measure of food security to the people who live and work in the Canyon and Tusayan has been one of the most truly rewarding experiences of my life,” he said. FBN

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NOVEMBER 2024 // Flagstaff Business News

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Global ‘Hush’ Sets Tone for ‘The Great Revitalization’ Organizational psychologist says workers want meaning and purpose; businesses need a new playbook

By Bonnie Stevens, FBN

W

hat would the professional environment look and feel like if business associates were excited about their work?

Renowned organizational psychologist Alise Cortez, Ph.D., says today’s business environment requires conscious, inspirational leadership, a fresh understanding of the world and a whole new playbook anchored in meaning and purpose.

These “essential ingredients” and their ability to unleash potential and increase organizational impact are discussed in her new book, “The Great Revitalization: How Activating Meaning and Purpose Can Radically Enliven Your Business.”

“Why not create a workplace of play, where your team feels like they’re on the playground again, joyfully creating masterpieces in the dirt,” she writes. “People across the world have lost their childlike playfulness and don’t know how to regain it or how to discover and live their passion and purpose.”

REDISCOVERING PASSION, PURPOSE

How this happened, she says, is “an accumulation of life and years.” She explains how we start off as joyful children who express our happiness and also our frustration and anger. In school, we learn that some of those emotions are not appropriate.

“And then we get into the workforce and we learn that we really have to keep some of our emotions to ourselves if we want to get promoted.

And we certainly better not cry or be upset or frustrated at work. By the time I meet people in their 30s or 40s, their emotional spectrum is down to this teeny, little slice of what it used to be.”

In response, Cortez encourages “passion work” with her clients. “Not only does it raise their own energy, but it positively affects everyone else around them. That’s why I advocate for getting passion back in the workplace even if you’re just giving your employees 10% or 15% of their time to go pursue what they’re passionate about.”

Readers welcome “The Great Revitalization: How Activating Meaning and Purpose Can Radically Enliven Your Business” at book signings with Alise Cortez, the author of four bestselling books. Courtesy photo

A UNIVERSAL AWAKENING

Cortez describes a “universal awakening” that arose from the quiet of COVID-19. Noting a “hush that fell across the land,” she says the world slowed down and workers began to consider how they wished to live, who they were connected to and on what terms they wanted to work.

“It was the tipping point. We had been experiencing the tensions between meaningful work and work that worked for us in our lives for a good 10-plus years and the pandemic just really brought it home as to what was missing and how things were awry in our overall lives,” she said.

Continued on page 33

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Flagstaff Business News // NOVEMBER 2024

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// BUSINESS CENTS // BY BONNIE STEVENS, FBN

Five Good Reasons to Leave Your Job

Y

ou may have heard: People don’t leave jobs, they leave bosses. And while I believe this to be very true, there are other good reasons to leave jobs. Here are five:

1. YOU DON’T WANT YOUR SUPERVISOR’S JOB OR THEIR SUPERVISOR’S JOB OR EVEN THE CORNER OFFICE

I know this sounds really negative, but we can take the emotion out of this statement by looking at your situation objectively. It may be that you accepted your position because you have a specific skill that the company needed. Maybe you wanted to practice or improve that skill. Maybe you understood how much your skill was needed and felt a great deal of satisfaction improving the company through your efforts. But now that you’ve done that, you can feel good about accomplishing what you set out to do. You’re happy, your supervisor is happy, your co-workers are happy and honestly, I can’t think of a better time to move on for other challenges that excite you. Enjoy the going away party and keep those healthy relationships.

2. YOUR NEEDS HAVE CHANGED

Lifestyle changes are an important factor in decisions about where we work and why, perhaps now more than ever. Through the pandemic, we witnessed how workers found they could travel the country in an RV, yet stay connected and get their work done while watching the buffalo roam in Yellowstone National Park.

Thus, freedom, flexibility and quality of life are now playing a major role in the decisions of today’s workforce.

Young parents are smart to choose jobs with flexibility and great health insurance plans. People who love community may choose a company that offers strong social opportunities – like a membership to a gym or an actual gym, or weekly meetings where the company springs for lunch, or even a very team-oriented atmosphere that promotes people working together, in person. Know what you need at this particular time in your life and go get it.

3. YOU WANT TO GROW

Let’s face it, there’s only one CEO or one president of a company. If that’s the job you want, you most likely

need to work your way up. However, the vertical climb may not be possible where you are if those on the ladder above you aren’t moving as fast as you are or getting out of the way completely. To avoid frustration, face it and go find a higher rung that’s available somewhere else. This is where you can benefit from a more experienced and well-connected mentor who can help you chart that next step on your journey, support you in matching your aspirations to growth opportunities and build your network so others can know about the rising star that you are! Remember, you are playing the long game here, so you want to develop the practical knowledge and leadership skills that build your confidence and equip you for whatever is waiting at the top.

4. YOU WANT TO LEAP

You’ve enjoyed your career as an auto mechanic and the business you’ve helped build is humming along nicely. But now you want to do more than hum. That fantasy career you’ve been dreaming about since you saw Adele in concert is calling, and

rumor has it, you now want to be that soulful singer-songwriter who’s been playing the soundtrack of your life in your head. Someone like you could be the next big thing, but you need to get serious about it, make time for it and do what you need to do to be successful. Could you still be an auto mechanic by day? Maybe, but who could blame you if you put down that wrench, picked up a guitar and said, “Hello,” to that thing that makes your heart want to set fire to the rain? No one should get in the way of your dream, not even you. And that’s why you have to do it!

5. YOU’VE NEVER LIVED IN PARIS

Millions of us (not an exaggeration) have watched Emily (in Paris) leave what was safe, comfortable and predictable for an entirely new environment where she didn’t have any friends, know the landscape or speak the language. Astronomer Carl Sagan said “Exploration is in our nature. We began as wanderers and we are wanderers still. We have lingered long enough on the

shores of the cosmic ocean. We are ready at last to set sail for the stars.” If what you know is no longer working for you, has lost its twinkle or keeps you wondering what’s beyond your shore, it could be time to point your rudder toward an entirely different world. If this is you, let’s shove off!

When you decide to leave a job, it doesn’t have to be because you can no longer stand your boss, your environment or your position. In fact, try hard not to get to that place.

Paris is better. And when you make a change for a new challenge, professional growth, personal circumstances, a calling or simply an adventure, your associates can respect that and celebrate you for the future you are intentionally moving toward. FBN Bonnie Stevens is the editor of FBN. She is a career journalist and public relations consultant. She can be reached at bonnie.stevens@gmail.com.

NOVEMBER 2024 // Flagstaff Business News

@flagstaffbusinessnews

17

Route 66 By Design

T

he City of Flagstaff is enhancing its curb appeal to commemorate the Route 66 Centennial celebration in 2026. Mural Mice,

the artists who created the original artwork seven years ago and who have been commissioned to refurbish it, have been working to refresh the

iconic street mural painted on the pavement at the Flagstaff Visitor Center.

“The mural is such a popular photo

Discover Flagstaff representatives and Mural Mice artists celebrated the completion of the updated Route 66 mural last month at the Flagstaff Visitor Center. Courtesy Photo

In Historic Downtown Prescott

opportunity among the city’s five million annual visitors that the artists at times were asked by travelers to stop painting so people could get a

Mural Mice couple, R.E. Wall and Margaret Dewar, along with their daughter, Bonnielou Blossom, unveiled the refreshed Route 66 Shield Mural. Courtesy photo

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Flagstaff Business News // NOVEMBER 2024

flagstaffbusinessnews.com

Jitters Lunchbox to Operate Planet X Café at Lowell Observatory

L

owell Observatory’s Marley Foundation Astronomy Discovery Center will feature an eatery named Planet X Café, and the observatory has selected the popular Flagstaff restaurant, Jitters Lunchbox, to operate it. Planet X Cafe is sponsored

by Nackard Pepsi, with the Nackard family boasting a long history in the Flagstaff community and at Lowell Observatory.

Jitters signed a two-year lease to provide hot and cold sandwiches, soups, salads and a variety of drinks.

The café will be open day and evening to accommodate guests looking for a meal or snack in between the observatory’s many public astronomy activities, providing a tranquil setting to gather with friends and loved ones.

The café includes seating for about 40 customers, who can enjoy their food on an outside patio against the backdrop of the observatory’s pine-blanketed grounds, or inside, next to a sandstone-lined fireplace.

The Astronomy Discovery Center and Planet X Café will open to the public on Nov. 13, with a special grand opening event on Nov. 16. The Astronomy Discovery Center and café will

both be open daily except for Tuesday, with hours ranging from noon to 10 p.m., for the Astronomy Discovery Center and noon to 9 p.m. for the café.

Lowell Visitor Experience Manager Miriam Robbins says Jitters is an ideal fit for the observatory. “We wanted to collaborate with a local vendor and Jitters has been a staple in this community for years. Plus, their menu is almost exactly what we had envisioned for the café, even before we saw their proposal.”

Robbins says she is also impressed by Jitters’ ownership team, Jose Garcia and his nephew Jose Munguia. “They have a long history working in the restaurant business, way before they joined forces to buy Jitters a few years ago.”

Garcia says he is thrilled to be working with Lowell Observatory. “We like the idea of local businesses partnering together and Lowell Observatory, with its long history of scientific research and education, is a landmark in Flagstaff.”

The Planet X Café is named after the planet theorized by Percival Lowell more than a century ago. Lowell kicked off a search for the planet in 1905 that culminated with Clyde Tombaugh’s

Lowell Observatory’s Miriam Robbins reviews plans for Planet X Cafe with Jose Munguia (left) and Jose Garcia. Courtesy photo

discovery of Pluto at the observatory in 1930. The design of the café captures this history in a display of historic drawings, celestial motifs and themes of discovery. It also features displays of the Nackard family, as sponsors of the café.

Initially, the café will employ six full-time staff members. “We try to give back to the community and supplying

these jobs, as well as giving people tasty food in a friendly environment, helps us achieve this,” said Munguia.

Lowell Chief Operating Officer Amanda Bosh, Ph.D., says the choice of Jitters Lunchbox as a partner is important to the success of the ADC. “Our goal is for the Astronomy Discovery Center to be a world-class astrotourism

destination and to achieve this goal, each component – whether exhibits, theaters or food services – must be top notch. And Jitters certainly fits the bill. We look forward to collaborating with them in helping give guests from around the world the best possible experience.” FBN

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NOVEMBER 2024 // Flagstaff Business News

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19

How to Make Sure You are Hearing the Sounds of the Holidays

A

By Jeff Lane, Au.D.

chief concern among hearing loss patients is their ability to socialize. Indeed, studies show that untreated hearing loss can have a major impact on quality of life. This is especially true around the holidays. Family and friends come together for the explicit purpose of bonding. For someone with hearing loss, this can be anxiety inducing.

Luckily, there are ways to ease the burden and ensure this is truly the most wonderful time of the year.

CHECK-UPS

The simplest (and often most effective) thing you can do is schedule an appointment with your hearing care professional. Modern hearing aids are very durable, but still require occasional maintenance. Namely, it is important to ensure everything is clean. This does not refer to the cleaning a patient can do on their own at home. (Although, if you do have dexterity or vision issues that make doing so difficult, always feel free to bring your hearing aids in for inspection.) Hearing care profession-

als do more of a deep cleaning. With daily activities, dust and other debris can sneak into the microphone ports.

When this occurs, the hearing aids can sound muffled, as they are not picking up the sound fully. Worn out domes and dirty earmolds can also be replaced or cleaned. All of this ensures the acoustic pathway remains clear.

There can also be maintenance required on the technological side. A receiver may become worn out or a charger may malfunction, affecting the efficacy of the aids. Or, the hearing aids may need a firmware update. Since they are essentially tiny computers, the manufacturers sometimes come out with updates to improve functioning. All of these issues can easily be resolved with a quick 15-minute trip to the office.

Also, remember that you can schedule any time of the year if you need repairs or adjustments.

Depending on how long it’s been since your prior one, a hearing evaluation may be recommended as well.

The general rule of thumb is to have your hearing tested once a year. And thankfully, most health insurance

plans will help pay the cost. It is important to keep tabs on your hearing, as it can gradually change over time.

Hearing aids base their programming on the hearing thresholds, so if the most recent test is from five years ago, they may not be providing accurate amplification. When hearing does change, the software adjusts the programming accordingly.

TECHNOLOGY UPGRADES

It may also be worth considering upgrading your hearing aids. Hearing aids, especially those from major manufacturers, are designed to be durable. But, as with any technology, they may not perform as well with age. After about seven years, hearing aids start to require more repairs.

Additionally, technology becomes outdated. New models come out about every two years or so. And each new model provides a clearer signal and better noise filtering than the last. So even if your hearing aids are still functioning, consider new ones if your find yourself struggling.

Accessories can also be game changers. Hearing aids are wonderful, but do have their limits. Acces-

sories fill in the gaps. For example, a TV streamer can send the TV signal straight to the user’s hearing aids.

Thus, they can hear clearly without blasting out everyone else. Remote microphones can also provide great benefit. They pick up a person’s voice and stream it to the hearing aids. For example, if you are going on a tour, the guide can wear the microphone, ensuring no commentary is missed. It can also be placed on the table at social gatherings, picking up the voices of all loved ones. They are simple to use and can be easily set up in a few minutes.

COMMUNICATION STRATEGIES

Part of the counseling we provide patients revolves around how to maximize the efficiency of their devices. Practicing good communication strategies is essential for success.

The main tenants are: ensure the talker is facing you, talking at a good volume and not at a distance. That last point is important, as 3 dB of volume is lost for every doubling of distance. If you have trouble distinguishing

voices in a group, consider taking loved ones for one-on-one conversations so nothing is missed. When going out to dinner, ask for a table in the quietest part of the restaurant.

Advocate for your needs!

Easing communication and maximizing quality of life is always the main goal. Don’t hesitate to reach out to your hearing care provider to ensure a joyful holiday season! FBN Trinity Hearing Center is located at 1330 N. Rim Dr., Suite B in Flagstaff. For more information, visit the website at TrinityHearing.net. Jeff Lane is a doctor of audiology with a passion for improving the lives of others. Dr. Lane may be reached at 928-522-0500 or at audio@trinityhearing. net.

20

Flagstaff Business News // NOVEMBER 2024

flagstaffbusinessnews.com

Business Owners, Lowell Observatory Workers Wanted Welcomes New Executive for Minimum Wage Director Amanda Bosh Focus Groups L

T

he Coconino County Workforce Development has partnered with the Northern Arizona University Economic Policy Institute to understand and analyze the impacts of a higher minimum wage on workforce and economic development within the county.

Regina Salas, with Coconino Workforce Development Board, says the collaboration reflects the county’s commitment to “grounding strategies in robust, data-driven insights that will ultimately support a thriving, sustainable economy for all.”

Findings from the study are expected to provide guidance to the workforce board as it shapes future policies and program decisions. To ensure the approach reflects true experiences, Salas says the board is seeking local business owners and workers to participate in virtual focus groups.

“We want business owners to share perspectives on how the wage increase has influenced operations, the workforce and business decisions,” she said.

“Discussions with employees will focus on how the wage increase has affected work, hours and quality of life.”

Focus group discussions are scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday, Nov. 13 and 14. Business owners can sign up at https://qualtrics.nau.edu/jfe/form/ SV_77EhbGczCD0cGNM. Workers can sign up at https://qualtrics.nau.edu/jfe/form/SV_0Ds0lp9iUWx14vs. FBN

owell Observatory has announced the appointment of Amanda Bosh, Ph.D., as its new executive director, succeeding Jeff Hall, Ph.D., who has led the observatory for 14 years. Bosh is scheduled to assume her new role Nov. 8. Lowell representatives say she brings a wealth of experience in planetary science research, education and operational leadership, positioning Lowell for continued growth and scientific innovation.

Bosh’s leadership comes at a pivotal time for the observatory as it prepares for the grand opening of its world-class Marley Foundation Amanda Bosh, Ph.D. Astronomy Discovery Center, Saturday, Nov. 16. According to a news release, the Astronomy Discovery Center represents a new era for Lowell, offering immersive experiences and advanced exhibits that bridge the gap between cutting-edge research and public engagement. As part of the celebration, Dr. Bosh will be welcoming the community as well as outlining the observatory's next plans.

“Her extensive experience in planetary science, along with her proven leadership as chief operating officer

SAME-DAY APPOINTMENTS & WALK-INS WELCOME!

makes her the ideal candidate to guide the observatory through this next era of discovery and public engagement,” said Lowell Observatory’s sole trustee, W. Lowell Putnam, about Bosh.

She first joined Lowell Observatory in 1994 and has contributed to a variety of groundbreaking research efforts, including the co-discovery of Pluto’s atmosphere.

She also co-founded the Lowell Observatory Native American Astronomy Outreach Program in 1995, which is still running. She has held several roles at the observatory, including operations manager, project director for the Astronomy Discovery Center and chief operating officer.

“I am deeply honored to step into this role at such an important time for the observatory,” she said. “Lowell Observatory has been a beacon of scientific research and education for decades and I look forward to building on this legacy. With the grand opening of the Astronomy Discovery Center and the new science vision, we are positioned to expand both our scientific mission and our outreach efforts in significant ways.” FBN

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NOVEMBER 2024 // Flagstaff Business News

@flagstaffbusinessnews

21

Exploring the Benefits of Platelet-Rich Plasma Therapy for Joint, Tendon, Ligament Health

By Nathan Swain, D.O.

in healing. Blood contains platelets – small cell fragments (cytoplasm f you’re experiencing persistent pain without a nucleus) that play a key role in clotting and wound repair. By drawor injury in your joints, tendons or ing a small amount of your blood and ligaments, and you’re looking for a processing it in a centrifuge, specialized non-surgical option to promote healing, Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) therapy providers can concentrate the serum. might offer an effective solution. PRP is This concentrated solution, rich in an innovative treatment that has gained growth platelets and factors but devoid of white blood cells, red blood cells, fat attention for its ability to harness the and excess serum, is then injected into body’s natural healing mechanisms. the site of injury or pain. The platelets With applications in orthopaedics work to stimulate tissue regeneration supported by scientific evidence, PRP by promoting inflammation, thereby injections have become a go-to option for many individuals seeking pain relief accelerating the healing process.

PRP is especially promising for conand improved function without the ditions where healing can be slow or risks associated with surgery or longdifficult, such as tendinopathies, chronterm medication use. ic ligament issues, meniscal, labral and mild to moderate osteoarthritis. In WHAT IS PRP THERAPY? orthopaedics, it has become a valuable Platelet-Rich Plasma therapy involves tool for patients who wish to avoid or using your body’s own blood to aid

I

delay surgery and for those seeking to complement other treatment methods, such as physical therapy.

WHAT CAN PRP TREAT?

PRP has been shown to be effective for a variety of musculoskeletal conditions.

These include: Tendinopathies: PRP is frequently used to treat chronic tendon injuries, including those in the elbow (tennis elbow), shoulder (rotator cuff tendinosis), hip (gluteus medius/minimus tendinosis), knee (patellar tendinosis), and ankle (achilles tendinosis) and so much more. Tendons are notoriously slow to heal because of limited blood supply, but PRP can enhance the healing process. By introducing growth factors directly into the damaged tendon, PRP helps repair

// Platelet-Rich Plasma therapy involves using your body’s own blood to aid in healing. Blood contains platelets – small cell fragments (cytoplasm without a nucleus) that play a key role in clotting and wound repair. //

with small tears in the meniscus (knee) or labrum (shoulder or hip), particularly those caused by wear and tear rather than acute injury.

These fibrocartilage structures are crucial for joint stability, and damage to them can lead to pain and dysfunction. While surgery may be necessary for more severe tears, PRP can be an option for those with non-repairable or smaller tears, helping to preserve joint function and reduce the risk of early-onset osteoarthritis, which can sometimes be accelerated by surgical interventions.

the tissue, often offering a natural alternative to corticosteroid injections, which can weaken tendons over time.

Ligament Injuries: Chronic ligament pain, especially in areas like the knee, can be difficult to resolve without surgery. PRP provides a non-invasive option to manage pain and promote healing, offering a way to avoid the lengthy recovery times associated with surgical procedures.

Osteoarthritis: One of the most common uses of PRP is for managing osteoarthritis, particularly in the knee. Osteoarthritis occurs when the cartilage in joints wears down over time, leading to pain, swelling and decreased mobility.

While PRP does not regenerate cartilage, studies have shown that it can significantly reduce pain and improve function in those with mild to moderate osteoarthritis.

Compared to other treatments like corticosteroid injections or hyaluronic acid, PRP has been found to provide longer-lasting relief.

Meniscal and Labral Tears: PRP is also beneficial for individuals

WHY CHOOSE PRP?

PRP stands out as a treatment option because it leverages your body’s own healing capabilities. Unlike corticosteroids, which are commonly used to reduce inflammation and weaken tissues over time, PRP promotes actual healing and tissue repair. It is particularly appealing to patients seeking to avoid long-term medication use or surgery.

There are several reasons why PRP is worth considering: Minimally Invasive: PRP involves Continued on page 35

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How to Shop for the Lowest Mortgage Rates: Why Mortgage Brokers Shine

F

By Jer Cox

inding the best mortgage rate is crucial for anyone looking to buy a home. A lower rate can save thousands of dollars over the life of a loan, making it essential for homebuyers to explore all their options. Among these, mortgage brokers stand out as the best choice for securing the lowest rates.

1. THE ADVANTAGES OF MORTGAGE BROKERS

Mortgage brokers act as intermediaries between borrowers and lenders.

They have access to a wide range of loan products and can compare rates from multiple lenders on behalf of their clients. According to United Wholesale Mortgage (UWM), using a

mortgage broker can lead to substantial savings – over $10,000 – compared to going through a retail mortgage lender. This is a significant amount that can make a real difference in a buyer’s financial future.

Brokers are skilled in understanding the mortgage market and can negotiate on behalf of their clients, ensuring they get the best possible terms. Their expertise can simplify the process, making it easier for homebuyers to find the right mortgage for their needs.

These banks can be slower in processing loans and may not be as flexible in terms of qualifications. Homebuyers often find themselves navigating a onesize-fits-all approach, which can leave them feeling frustrated.

In contrast, mortgage brokers offer personalized service tailored to each buyer’s unique situation. They work to understand their clients’ financial goals and can recommend options that suit their needs, something large banks might not prioritize.

2. LOCAL COMMUNITY BANKS AND LARGE RETAIL BANKS

3. RETAIL MORTGAGE COMPANIES

While local community banks and large retail banks, such as Wells Fargo or Bank of America, do offer mortgage options, they often have limited products and may not provide the best rates.

// Mortgage brokers act as intermediaries between borrowers and lenders. They have access to a wide range of loan products and can compare rates from multiple lenders on behalf of their clients. //

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GETTING PRE-APPROVED WITH EASE

Getting pre-approved for a mortgage is a smart step for buyers, and mortgage brokers can facilitate this Retail mortgage companies may process efficiently. They know which advertise attractive rates, but they often focus on volume rather than per- lenders are likely to give approvals based on specific borrower profiles, sonalized service. While they can be saving buyers valuable time. This competitive, homebuyers might miss pre-approval can also give buyers a out on better deals without the expert competitive edge when making an guidance of a mortgage broker. Brooffer on a home. kers take the time to analyze different offers and can help buyers sift through the many options available, ensuring UNDERSTANDING CREDIT they secure the best possible deal.

SCORES WITH GUIDANCE A good credit score is essential for securing favorable COMPARISON SHOPPING MADE mortgage rates. Mortgage EASY brokers can help buyers unTo find the lowest mortgage rates,

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homebuyers should compare offers from various lenders. However, this can be time-consuming and confusing. A mortgage broker simplifies this process by presenting multiple quotes from different lenders, allowing buyers to make informed decisions quickly. They can break down the numbers and explain the nuances of each offer, making it easier for buyers to understand what they’re getting into.

derstand their credit reports and offer advice on improving scores before applying for a mortgage. This guidance is crucial in helping buyers qualify for the best rates available.

FINAL THOUGHTS

Shopping for the lowest mortgage rates doesn’t have to be overwhelming.

By choosing to work with a mortgage broker, homebuyers can access a wealth of options, save significant amounts of money, and receive personalized service throughout the process. The expertise and resources provided by mortgage brokers can lead to a smoother home-buying experience, ultimately benefiting buyers in the long run. FBN With more than 30 years in the mortgage industry, Jer Cox is also a longtime Flagstaff resident with a finance degree from Northern Arizona University. For additional information, Jer and the staff of Mountain Country Mortgage can be reached at 928-226-6908 or Mountaincountrymtg.com NMLS #149561 MB-1008082

NOVEMBER 2024 // Flagstaff Business News

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23

Wipe the Smile ON Your Face: Local Chefs Sharing Holiday Recipes

By Ryan Randazzo

ovember is more than pumpkin spice. It’s a time to celebrate with friends and family, and there’s no better way to do that than with a great home-cooked meal. We turned to some of the local Flagstaff chefs that thrive in our high-mountain town to help provide inspiration this holiday season.

Flagstaff relishes in culinary delights year-round, with more than 200 restau-

rants, including eight award-winning craft brewers and four James Beard semifinalists. These restaurateurs, brewers, mixologists, bakers, chefs and others are a significant factor in what makes Flagstaff the favorite Arizona road-trip destination for visitors from far and wide.

Discover Flagstaff encourages visitors to check out our town’s many dining gems with the Wipe the Smile ON Your Face campaign during the

CRANBERRY SWIRL CHEESECAKE

½ teaspoon cinnamon ¼ C butter, melted

N

Cranberry puree: 2 C Cranberries 2/3 C Sugar 2/3 C OJ 2 Tablespoon orange zest ½ teaspoon cinnamon ¼ teaspoon nutmeg 4 teaspoon vanilla

Set oven to 350 degrees.

In a mixing bowl, combine crumbs, sugar, cinnamon, and melted butter.

Mix with a spatula until combined.

Cook in saucepot at medium heat until thick.

Strain. Cool. Refrigerate for minimum of 2 hours or till completely cool.

Filling: 32 oz cream cheese 1 C sugar 4 eggs 1 C sour cream ½ C Cream 1 Tablespoon vanilla

The Children’s The Children’s Studio

Crust: 1 1/3 C Graham cracker crumbs 1 Tablespoon Sugar

In a 10-inch springform pan, spray or butter the pan and line the bottom with parchment.

Press crust mixture into pan and

Chef Dara Wong at Shift Kitchen and Bar offers steps to make her Cranberry Swirl Cheesecake.

Photo by V. Ronnie Tierney, Fresh Focuses Photography

Chef Tony Cosentino from Josephine’s Modern American Bistro shares his Poblano Butternut Soup recipe as temperatures drop. Courtesy photo

holidays and throughout the year.

We asked some of our friends in

local kitchens to share a special recipe they recommend for the holidays.

bake for 8 minutes. Cool.

Make cheesecake filling recipe.

Put 1/3 cheesecake filling into pan.

Dollop with 1/3 of the cranberry puree.

Repeat until filled. Swirl with knife trying not to scrape the bottom. Bake in a water bath covered with foil for 1 hour and 15 minutes or until almost set (middle should be a little jiggly).

Cool completely out at room temperature and then place in refrigerator for a minimum of 2 hours.

POBLANO BUTTERNUT SOUP

Shift Kitchen and Bar is at 107 N. San Francisco St., Flagstaff. https://shiftflg.com/

Studio

2 each, poblanos, roasted, peeled and seeded 1 large onion, diced 1 TB garlic, minced ¼ cup olive oil 1 Tablespoon rosemary minced fine (fresh preferred) 1 teaspoon ginger, minced 2 butternut squash, seeded, roasted, peeled 1 quart chicken stock 2 each bay leaves 2 TB honey (or to taste) 6 oz cream cheese Salt and pepper Cut butternut squash in half

Chef Dara Wong at Shift Kitchen and Bar is known for her desserts, not to mention her wildly popular weekend bake sales the first Saturday of each month. She shared the steps to make a Cranberry Swirl Cheesecake.

Chef Tony Cosentino from Josephine’s Modern American Bistro, a Flagstaff staple for more than 20 years, picked Poblano Butternut Soup to share this season. FBN Ryan Randazzo is the marketing and media relations project manager for Discover Flagstaff, the city’s destination marketing organization. (carefully as to keep all your fingers intact) Scoop out seeds. Place face down on a sheet pan with a little water and roast at 400 degrees until tender, 20 to 30 minutes. Let cool until it is easy to handle and peel off skin.

In a stock pot heat olive oil and add onion, garlic and rosemary, and ginger.

Sautee until soft preferably with a submersion mixer. Salt and pepper to taste Server with a lime wedge for a fresh bit of zing and toasted pepitas for a little texture.

Josephine’s Modern American Bistro is at 503 N. Humphreys St., Flagstaff. https:// www.josephinesrestaurant.com/

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Flagstaff Business News // NOVEMBER 2024

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Hidden Signs Your Loved One May Be Abusing Drugs, Alcohol

R

By Roy DuPrez

ecognizing substance abuse in a loved one can often be difficult, especially when the person has learned how to hide their behavior. However, certain signs may indicate the person has an issue with drugs or alcohol. Understanding some of the more subtle signs will allow you to recognize substance abuse problems and get the person the help they need.

PHYSICAL APPEARANCE

One of the most often overlooked changes in a person using drugs or alcohol is their physical appearance.

Changes in their appearance often manifests in weight gain or loss, lack of hygiene or just consistently having a disheveled look. Physical factors like bloodshot eyes, constricted or dilated pupils are also red flags that can be a sign your loved one is abusing drugs or alcohol.

While you may not notice it at first, the type of clothing the person wears can be another identifying factor when it comes to substance abuse.

For instance, wearing long sleeves

all the time may be a sign the person is trying to hide needle marks, often called track marks, on their arms.

They may also avoid situations where they need to show their skin, like swimming or doing outdoor activities in the heat.

MOOD SWINGS

When a person abuses drugs or alcohol, it will greatly impact their mood, often causing extreme swings in the individual’s personality. For instance, a person who is usually calm may be quick to anger or become irritable with often little or no need for such reactions. The person may also swing from one extreme to another when it comes to their moods often being extremely happy and outgoing one day and the next showing signs of depression.

These changes in mood are often caused by the substances they are abusing affecting the brain as well as the person’s dependency on the drug or alcohol. If or when you notice a loved one experiencing these mood shifts, substance abuse may be a contributing factor.

NEGLECTING RESPONSIBILITIES

When a person is in the middle of substance abuse, it may be difficult for them to do normal things like maintain basic responsibilities. You may notice your loved one missing classes, skipping out on work or being late when it comes to paying their bills. For loved ones living at home, you may see them not doing their chores like they used to or coming up with excuses to miss important family functions.

As a person gets deeper into substance abuse, they may prioritize getting high or drunk over taking care of their daily responsibilities.

This neglect can lead to strained relationships with family and friends and create tense situations within the home.

SECRETIVE BEHAVIORS

If you notice your loved one starting to act in suspicious ways or being secretive about a variety of things like where they are going or who they are hanging out with, it may be a sign of substance abuse. You may go long periods of time without receiving phone calls or seeing them without

any sort of rational explanation. The person may even get defensive when asked where they have been or what they have been up to.

Additionally, your loved one may become more secretive and private when it comes to certain items or area of the home: locking their bedroom door, hiding things like money or backpacks, or being extremely protective over their phone. The secrecy stems from them trying to hide their substance abuse and the shame or possible guilt they feel about it.

Identifying these hidden signs early on can help you provide support for your loved one to seek help and tackle their addiction before it truly gets out of hand. If you notice your loved one exhibiting any of these behaviors, it is time to reach out for help not only for your family member but for yourself. FBN

Back2Basics is an adventure recovery program, up to six months, for adult men with substance abuse issues looking for a positive and meaningful life. In our program, clients are exposed to a weekly combination of both wilderness adventures and residential programming. For more information, visit back2basicsoutdooradventures.com, call 928-814-2220 or email rduprez@b2badventures.com.

Roy DuPrez, M.Ed., is the CEO and founder of Back2Basics Outdoor Adventure Recovery in Flagstaff. DuPrez received his B.S. and M.Ed. from Northern Arizona University. Back2Basics helps men recover from addiction to drugs and alcohol.

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NOVEMBER 2024 // Flagstaff Business News

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25

Seven Exercises to Stay in an Appreciation Mindset

N

By Christina Kovalik

ovember is a wonderful time to take steps to be more present, count your blessings, and deeply appreciate all the goodness in your world. Doing daily exercises, while creating new habits of being more present in an appreciation mindset will spill over into your day-to-day attitude. It has a ripple effect in all you encounter. When you focus your attention on feeling more appreciative, you will see how much lighter your day flows and will be able to pay attention to how others are feeling around you.

You attract what you focus on.

If you are in a bad mood, have you noticed how that energy continues unless you choose to change your

mindset? If you become consciously aware of your feelings and make an effort to upgrade them into a more positive mindset, you can create a more empowering habit that will be more supporting to you. It is a mindset switch, and it can take time to develop. When you get it, it is amazing to see how it will improve your life and outlook on your life.

Here are some easy exercises that you can do to help you stay in the appreciation state mindset:

FOCUS ON APPRECIATION

Before getting out of bed, start listing or thinking about all the things, people, your health or experiences that surround you that make you feel deep appreciation. Life is a gift. Do this for two to five minutes and truly feel the

// If you become consciously aware of your feelings and make an effort to upgrade them into a more positive mindset, you can create a more empowering habit that will be more supporting to you. It is a mindset switch, and it can take time to develop. //

gratitude and appreciation that you feel in that higher vibration in the heart area. Take a few deep breaths and set your intentions for the day to stay in the appreciation state.

FOCUS ON KINDNESS

Find ways to give a helping hand or do something nice for others, a random act of kindness. It doesn’t have to be elaborate. Just letting someone go in front of you in the checkout line, giving a compliment, asking to help someone who you can see needs assistance or smiling and saying “hello” are simple gestures that may have a huge impact on someone’s day.

FOCUS ON THE BEAUTY OF NATURE

Spend some time outdoors. Listen to the birds, the wind blowing in the trees, observe the beauty that Flagstaff has to offer. We are surrounded by beauty, and it is easy to get over worked or stressed by the day-to-day routines. Taking time out for five to 15 minutes will help you stay present and grounded in nature. Take your shoes off and walk barefoot in the grass or sit under a tree.

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FOCUS ON POSTITIVE AFFIRMATIONS

You can combine this with your focus on your appreciation morning routine. Upon waking, after you spend some time feeling appreciation, you can write out a list of positive affirmations that you repeat three times. It takes 21 days to create a new habit and change the neural pathways in the brain. When you change your thoughts, you change your life.

Positive thoughts create positive experiences and attract positive people.

KEEP AN APPRECIATION JOURNAL

If you have a hard time coming up with things you are appreciative of or grateful for, keep a notebook just to write down things you appreciate in your life, or you can end your day by writing about all the things that you are appreciative for that happened that day. Look for the day-to-day miracles. When you start to notice them and focus your attention on them, you will notice more.

FOCUS ON YOUR BREATH

When things don’t seem to go your way or you feel yourself becoming anxious

or stressed, take a breath. Focus on inhaling for a count of eight and exhaling for 16, for three to five cycles.

You can do this with your eyes closed or open. Breathing calms the nervous system and can improve focus and productivity.

FOCUS ON MOVEMENT

Appreciate the fact that your body is magnificent, and movement gets the energy flowing. Focus on moving more than not. It can be as simple as taking a walk, doing yoga or dancing more. Have fun while you are doing it. Moving your body releases natural endorphins, gets your energy to flow and helps your mind relax.

Be in appreciation. Tell the people in your life how and why you appreciate them and work to truly be present. 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 928-8636086.

26

Flagstaff Business News // NOVEMBER 2024

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Coconino Astronomical Society Brings People Together Who Love the Stars

B

By Bonnie Stevens, FBN

y day, they may be scientists, photographers, artists, construction workers, doctors and students, but by night, they turn into stargazers. Flagstaff’s 60 or more active and diverse members of the Coconino Astronomical Society are joined together by their passion for the beauty, mystery and enormity of the universe.

“There is nothing I love more than going out on a dark, dark night with some friends and a telescope to contemplate the universe,” said retired biomedical scientist Klaus Brasch, Ph.D., a member of the Coconino Astronomical Society (CAS). “That time with the stars reminds us that we live on a small, delicate world. This is Spaceship Earth and we better take good care of it.”

CAS formed more than 20 years ago

by individuals interested in the sky, the stars and the planets and who are also passionate about introducing these cosmic wonders to others. “By sharing our telescopes, we can offer a special way of connecting people with the night sky,” said Brasch.

“In Flagstaff, we are so fortunate to have the Coconino astronomers,” said Flagstaff Dark Skies Coalition President Chris Luginbuhl. “They have volunteered at a number of public stargazing events and presentations through the years, which has raised tremendous awareness about our now-famous dark skies.”

The volunteers of CAS support the Flagstaff Dark Skies Coalition by bringing their telescopes and knowledge to the annual Flagstaff Star Party at Buffalo Park. They also participate in the Flagstaff Dark Skies Speaker

Series, keeping residents and visitors up to date on current events in the solar system and new images from the James Webb Telescope.

CAS volunteers also are found in schools talking to young stargazers and safely showing them the sun. In addition, they volunteer at Lowell Observatory during astronomical events and other times when large crowds are expected.

“The Coconino Astronomers are extremely generous about sharing their time, their knowledge and their equipment, and they truly love engaging with the public, which is very much appreciated throughout the community,” said Luginbuhl.

Brasch’s lifelong fascination with the universe inspired him and another proCoconino Astronomical Society member Klaus Brasch, Ph.D., enjoys sharing his fessor, Alan Bridle, Ph.D., at Queen’s telescope, knowledge and passion about the universe with the public at star parties

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Continued on page 33

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NOVEMBER 2024 // Flagstaff Business News

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27

The Truth About Reverse Mortgages

By Chris Hallows

T

he numbers don’t lie. That’s one of the solaces I have on my side of the real estate business. Everyone may have a different opinion on what color to paint the house or whether they prefer quartz or granite countertops – the simple math of a certain financial path saving more money over another path is not subjective. With this preface, I would like to begin this month’s article and exploration with hard numbers.

The baby boomer generation is our retired, retiring and pre-retirement generation – spanning ages 60-78. This generation accounts for approximately 20% of our population and, according to Federal Reserve data, they own an estimated 42% of national real estate, or approximately $18.65 trillion worth of the $44.84 trillion total market. Following reports from AARP, 52.5% of peak boomers have less than $250K in retirement assets with a median home equity of approximately $156,000 – equaling more than half of their total net worth.

With social security only able to go so far for these individuals and couples, home equity is a valuable resource in the right situation. The proper professional guidance can empower many retirement plans and provide options and stability that may not otherwise exist. Yes, there are a variety of inaccurate stigmas that would make one thing that, this is a ‘break glass only in case of emergency’ option or a product provided ‘by loan sharks in dark financial alleys’

just wanting to take mom and dad’s house.

Now, as one of the most regulated products in the mortgage industry, the modern reverse mortgage product deserves to be explored objectively, just as the potential retiring homeowner deserves to have a full understanding of all retirement funding options and their associated pros and cons.

WHAT EXACTLY IS A REVERSE MORTGAGE?

A reverse mortgage is a tool that allows homeowners to convert home equity into useable funds while retaining home ownership. What makes it different from other equity accessing tools is that it does not require a payment with principal and interest compounding against the balance. This can only be done on primary residences and at least one of the borrowing individuals residing in the home must be 62 years or older. There are no-prepayment penalties if the loan is then ever refinanced or paid in full. They are also non-recourse, meaning that the borrower or their estate cannot owe more than the home is worth at time of death or sale.

If eligible, they can be used for purchase or refinance transactions.

At the time of moving out of the home or death, the estate has 12 months to either (1) sell the home (at which time the estate would net the remaining proceeds), (2) pay off the reverse mortgage with other assets from the estate and retain the home, or (3) refinance the reverse mortgage and retain the home. The structure

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of these loans can vary from a retiree taking a large one-time lump sum, structuring a consistent monthly payment distribution to supplement income or even a reverse equity line where, with guidance from a financial advisor, the retiree can distribute what they need when they need it in conjunction with their overall financial plan.

THE EQUITY IN HOME EQUITY

Just like an IRA or retirement assets, home equity is a tool that a retiree has invested into the principal but also has experienced market appreciation. However, there are two significant differences in the use of this tool that create high value considerations. First of all, Continued on page 28

28

Flagstaff Business News // NOVEMBER 2024

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How to Avoid Trouble

A

By Rob Wilson

s we live our lives every day, we are constantly making choices that reflect our acceptable levels of risk. We choose to follow the laws of the land because we don’t want to risk the consequences of jail. We make dietary choices that (hopefully) will work to reduce risk to our health. We choose where we will and, perhaps more importantly, where we won’t go in order to reduce the risk of harm to ourselves by those who don’t fear jail.

There are many choices you can make each day that will significantly reduce the likelihood of becoming a victim of a violent criminal act.

Some are so easy that once you get in the habit, they just become second nature. Others require some forethought and planning. Let’s discuss a few that can improve your personal safety.

Situational awareness is the key to avoiding trouble. Being situationally aware means you are paying attention to what is going on around you and should you see something that “just doesn’t seem right,” taking positive steps to avoid it. It means that when you’re out in public, your eyes should be scanning what is in front (and behind) you, NOT focused on a

REVERSE MORTGAGES continued from page 27

don’t want them to. device, checking the latest tweets. Vi Glance in your back seat before sion is our primary way of avoiding you unlock and get in the car, conflict, and hearing comes in a close it only takes a second and helps second. Unless you are someplace you know that you’re not going you know you’re safe, wearing headto sit down into trouble! phones or in-ear devices eliminates Trust your instincts! If someyour ability to hear what could be thing seems wrong, if your “spia warning that could save your life. dey” senses are alerting, listen to Save the music for your safe place. them and alter your behavior or When in public, keep your eyes and course to reduce your risk. ears working to keep you safe.

Don’t be afraid to use your voice.

Who believes they will make the In fact, practice it! Law enforcebest possible decision to handle a ment and the military both use potential threat to their safety at the loud authoritative commands in moment that threat occurs? Good high-risk situations because it luck with that if you do. You’ll be interrupts the thought patterns a lot better served if you have run of the threat. Providing that you possible scenarios that could occur in don’t threaten harm, there is no your day-to-day life in advance and law against using your voice. determined what your actions would We live in an ever-changing and be. If you woke up to the sound of unpredictable environment. We breaking glass, what would you do?

What would the others in your home don’t have to live our lives in fear IF we take positive steps to ensure we’re do? Having a plan that everyone is not walking into trouble. FBN aware of significantly improves the chances of doing the right thing should the event ever occur.

Rob Wilson is the owner (with his wife, Other simple things to do include: Set your car key fob to only unlock the driver’s door. Usually, a second press of the button will unlock the others. This prevents someone on the passenger side of the car from getting in if you

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unlike a traditional retirement asset that can experience diminished returns as it is drawn down, your home value continues to appreciate fully with the market, regardless of how much you draw against it.

Secondly, as it is considered a debt, drawing against home equity is not a taxable event, which can help your financial advisor balance out your tax strategies in retirement much more effectively. A reverse mortgage is no exception to the same type of careful planning that all retirement and financial tools must be subject to. Government regulated guides and limits are utilized to protect the retiree’s equity position. The exact retiree age and their amount of equity will dictate how much they can get approved to utilize now and over time. Though exact scenarios and circumstances may vary, huge light bulbs went off for me personally when seeing a simple illustration of a $100K lump sum disbursement. Yes, it’s a loan gaining interest and looking at balance alone can be intimidating; however, based on historic average appreciation, you can see that the estate’s equity or net over time actually continues to grow.

Again, consider it as the right tool for the right time and if you don’t need the supplemental retirement income, then there is no value to this tool for you. However, if the retirement data shared initially is correct, the lives of tens of thousands of retirees could be significantly impacted with the responsible and expertly guided use of a reverse mortgage without doing harm to them or their estate. While my retired mother doesn’t live in Northern Arizona and doesn’t know about this column, she and I are going to have a conversation on this at some point, as I want her to live her best life with all her hard-earned assets and equity in the equation. FBN For additional information or to schedule an appointment, visit ChrisHallows.Benchmark.us or call 928-707-8572. The Flagstaff location is 824 W Rte 66 Suite A-3.

Chris Hallows is the Branch Manager & Sr. Mortgage Advisor of Benchmark Mortgage Flagstaff.

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Charitable Gift Annuities: A Smart Way to Give Back

I

By Lisa Sahady

n today’s world, many people want to be charitable but must figure out how they can balance that desire with ensuring financial stability for themselves. For those individuals, a charitable gift annuity may be the tool they need to achieve that balance.

Creating a charitable gift annuity can be easy. You donate cash or marketable securities to a foundation, a nonprofit or a charitable gift annuity program, and in exchange, the charity will promise to pay you, or a person of your designation, a fixed amount of income every year for the duration of your life. CGAs can be a way to fund charitable interests while also providing a steady

stream of income.

THE BENEFITS OF CHARITABLE GIFT ANNUITIES

Tax Deductions: Through CGAs, donors can benefit from tax advantages. A portion of their donation may be tax-deductible in the year they make the gift.

Additionally, if they donate appreciated assets, they can avoid paying capital gains tax on those assets, allowing more of their money to go to the causes they support.

Guaranteed Income: One of the primary benefits of a CGA is the fixed payments received. These payments are based on age and the amount donated.

Charitable Impact: CGAs can

// A charitable gift annuity isn’t just a financial transaction; it’s a way to align your values with your financial goals. It’s an opportunity to give back while also ensuring you have the income you need. //

inspire more people to consider philanthropy by combining charitable giving with financial security. Fixed payments can motivate individuals to contribute more than they might otherwise, as they see a direct benefit alongside their charitable impact.

UNDERSTANDING CGA PAYOUT RATES

While the specific payout rates can vary, it’s worth noting that they tend to be more favorable for older donors. Generally, the older they are when they establish a CGA, the higher the payout rate. Once the CGA is established, the payment amount remains fixed for the duration of the donor’s lifetime, providing financial stability.

IS A CHARITABLE GIFT ANNUITY RIGHT FOR YOU? If you’re considering a CGA, think about what causes you’re passionate about and how you’d like to support them. Whether it’s education, environment, housing, health care or the

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arts, foundations like the Arizona Community Foundation can help ensure your gift makes a meaningful difference.

Let’s take Emily Grand as an example. She is a retired professor who has always been passionate about education and supporting local charities. After learning about CGAs, she decided to establish one with the Arizona Community Foundation.

She chooses to donate a certain amount of her savings, and this donation would provide her with a fixed annual income for the rest of her life. Emily’s CGA offers her an annual payment of approximately $5,500, providing her with a reliable source of income to cover living expenses and enjoy her retirement activities. This example illustrates how an individual can leverage a charitable gift annuity to achieve financial security while supporting a cause they care about.

A charitable gift annuity isn’t just a financial transaction; it’s a way to align your values with your financial goals. It’s an opportunity to give back while also ensuring you have

the income you need.

If you’re intrigued by the idea of a charitable gift annuity, foundations play a crucial role in helping donors set them up. They can provide you with the information you need to make an informed decision and guide you through the process.

Foundations typically handle the investment of the funds contributed to the CGA, making the process a lot easier for the donor. They use their expertise to ensure the funds are managed properly and they often have resources or partnerships with tax professionals who can help donors understand the tax implications of establishing a CGA. FBN For more information on making an impact locally with a CGA, call one of our offices serving Northern Arizona: ACF of Yavapai County at 928-583-7815, ACF of Sedona at 928-399-7218, or ACF of Flagstaff at 928-526-1956.

Lisa Sahady is the regional director of the Arizona Community Foundation of Yavapai County.

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Flagstaff Business News // NOVEMBER 2024

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DuBEAU continued from page 3

Platt Cline, former Arizona Daily Sun editor and publisher. The Morisons then ran several downtown restaurants before opening the Lumberjack Cafe in the early 1960s and operating it until 1974 at 218 S. Sitgreaves St. That building then became Granny’s Closet, which closed in 2011.

Mary Mastin bought the DuBeau in 1977. She was a leading downtown merchant who ran the Wigwam curio shop for a half century before her death in 1999 at age 93.

The McCullochs bought the halfacre DuBeau property from Mastin’s family in 2000 for $490,331, according Coconino County records.

Three years earlier, they became innkeepers, acquiring the Grand Canyon International Hostel, 19 S. San Francisco St. The DuBeau acquisition gave them about 100 beds between the two properties, which are a block apart.

They quit operating the Grand Canyon hostel in 2020 in the wake of COVID. As the new DuBeau owners, the McCullochs closed for six months to fix the plumbing and make other repairs. In fact, they spent a good part of a decade upgrading the DuBeau, transitioning it from a hostel to a boutique motel, McCulloch said.

The rooms and bathrooms are smaller than modern motels, but the DuBeau has its charms and more moderate room rates. It features windows that swing open to let in cool summer breezes. Parking is right next to most rooms.

John McCulloch, aka Johnny Mac, a long-time business owner, musician and former Flagstaff City Councilmember, enjoys telling stories about the historic motel. Photos by Austin Corbett

A comfortable lobby features McCulloch’s woodworking gems. The room hosts a light breakfast spread of coffee, tea, cereal, yogurt and breakfast bars, along with a kitchen, refrigerator and microwave. Plus, the location is convenient for walking downtown and on the Southside.

McCulloch said he and Lisa work together well. He does much of the maintenance while Lisa manages the day-to-day motel operation.

“I would say we are succeeding well beyond our expectations. I’m proud of all the work she does and I’m the jack-of-all-trades, saving

money with sweat equity.”

In 2016, the McCullochs opened the Nomad Global Lounge, which John built and operated in the DuBeau’s main building. It closed during the pandemic and they chose not to reopen it because of John’s health concerns. Instead, he plans to travel, play golf and enjoy retirement.

“I consider myself a survivor, having spent 25 to 30 years in bars playing music and I’m not in rehab somewhere.”

The DuBeau is well positioned to be part of the Route 66 Centennial in 2026 and, in fact, it will be a showcase

historic property for the yearlong celebration.

“We want the [tower neon] sign lit,” McCulloch said.

It has proven tricky keeping the old sign working and, for years, it read “Mo DuBeau.”

“There’s always something [to repair]. It’s an old motel,” he said.

Still, guests heap praise on the DuBeau in its guest book: “We appreciate the kindness this place has. Couldn’t have stayed in a more quaint, romantic, family feeling hotel.”

“Every anniversary since 2015.

Nine years. Thank you Motel DuBeau.”

“Mo Dubeau is so RAD.” As for famous guests, McCulloch said he’d heard a legend that the cast and crew of “Stagecoach” stayed at the DuBeau during filming in Monument Valley.

The 1939 Western, directed by John Ford, starred John Wayne, Claire Trevor and character actor Andy Devine, who was born in Flagstaff and played football and basketball at Arizona State Teachers College-Flagstaff.

Really? John Wayne slept here? FBN

FAC continued from page 13

1997, has been the general contractor on the project. “It’s nice to have a company that can do big jobs in Flagstaff,” said Garretson.

More than 500 people visited during the celebration, which showcased the new weight room, a revamped pool area, renovated locker rooms and the updated lobby. Upgrades also included the reworking of one of the old racquetball courts into a new recovery and relaxation area with massage chairs, fireplace and TVs. “We had raffle prizes, including a one-month membership, t-shirts and sweatshirts, some batting cage and pickleball rental time, massage chair passes, free personal training packages and guest passes,” said Marketing and Communication Manager Connor Mathews.

Friendly contests for gift certificates included bench press and pullup competitions.

Mathews outlined a list of some of the modern equipment purchased as part of the expansion project: A complete line of life fitness and hammer-strength plate machines, four squat racks, battle ropes, dumbbells, benches, crossover cables and bosu balls, which are inflatable balls cut in half with bases to promote stability and balance while members do their workouts.

There is also a new area of artificial turf where people who need more space can stretch out and exercise.

Garretson says she has faced many obstacles during the construction period, including diminished supply chains caused by recent storms in the southeastern part of the country.

On the brighter side, she says she has enjoyed hunting for bargains and finding the best equipment. “One of our goals is to stay current and to change with the trends, to provide our members with the latest and greatest. That’s how clubs survive; they have to constantly refresh with the times.”

The facilities at the newer FAC East club include many elements offered at FAC West, including weight, cardio and fitness rooms, hot tubs (inside and out), swimming pools for lap swimming, and locker rooms with showers and steam rooms.

However, the eastside facility also has The SportStop, which used to be called “the bubble,” a large covered indoor area where the tennis courts were located. In 2005, it was turned into The SportStop, a multi-purpose athletic facility with batting cages, soccer fields, pickleball and sand volleyball courts.

In addition to two outdoor hot tubs, FAC East has two swimming pools and offers

Following the 10-month construction project, Marketing and Communication Manager Connor Mathews says, “We’re going to catch our breath,” before beginning a smaller project, which includes a yoga and Pilates studio. Courtesy photo

lap swimming, water aerobics, water therapy, swimming lessons and lifeguard training.

Looking ahead, plans are being made for another smaller project – a yoga and Pilates studio in the old FAC West weight room space. Dates for that project have not been set.

“We’re going to catch our breath,” Mathews said. “Our members

went through a huge project for 10 months. This project is smaller and less intrusive.”

In their modernized forms, both clubs stand as a vibrant testimony to Jim Garretson, whose love and passion for all sports led to his vision to create spaces where people could become healthier and happier together.

“People are so excited,” said Holly.

“Jim built this and it’s just incredible.

He was a giant in our community. It’s a lot more than just working out in the gym. It’s moral support and seeking a connection with wellness and community and friendship. There are so many people who have met at the clubs.” FBN

NOVEMBER 2024 // Flagstaff Business News

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TIMMER continued from page 4

system. We can’t afford to let people take our courts away from us. And, if we don’t have trust in the courts, that’s exactly what’s going to happen. The people in the judicial system will come and go, but the institution itself just needs to remain rock-solid or I fear for our democracy.”

Timmer acknowledges that public trust in the judicial system has been on the decline. A 2022 report from Duke Law School states that only 25% of those surveyed said they had “quite a lot of confidence” in the U.S. Supreme Court. And she says she understands the public perception that governors and presidents “pack the benches” for political outcomes.

“I can tell you, in my experience, politics never actually come into play with any decision. It just doesn’t happen. But from the outside looking in, it can seem that way.”

PROTECTING CHILDREN, FAMILIES, COMMUNITIES

Goal three is Protecting Children, Families and Communities. Chief Justice Timmer says she is very concerned about youth. “The good news is that fewer and fewer kids are getting arrested and prosecuted for delinquency.

And that’s great. The bad news is the type of delinquency acts that are being committed are more violent than ever.

And that’s very disturbing.”

Last month, she held a Youth

Violence Summit for Arizona. All 15 counties were represented with participants – including police officers, prosecutors, defense attorneys, judges and mental health professionals – charged with coming up with the best practices for steering young people away from crime.

“They are still just children and the last thing we want to do is just lock people up. We want to do everything we can to prevent that because if they are locked up, we know from evidence-based studies, the likelihood increases that they will go on to a life of adult crime.”

ADVANCING EXCELLENCE, INNOVATION

Goal four is Advancing Judicial Branch Excellence and Innovation.

The Arizona Supreme Court has a partnership with Arizona State University and the Center for Forensics and Artificial Intelligence for guidance on how to safely use AI in a variety of tasks.

“I’m most excited to find out how the user, people who don’t have legal training, can use AI to navigate the judicial system to help them with legal issues that maybe they haven’t confronted before.”

ATTRACTING THE BEST

Goal five is Enhancing Professionalism and Leadership Within Our

Justice System. Chief Justice Timmer is striving to make state judicial system jobs more attractive.

“We are never going to be able to compete with the private sector [for successful lawyers to become judges], the pay differential is just too great – although we still have pensions for non-judges. For everyone else, we are losing people right and left. And it’s not to the private sector, it’s to other governments. State government does not pay as well as the cities; it does not pay as well as the counties.”

She says that at a time when the courts want more technology and more e-filing, they are losing their tech people to other governmental entities, for example. “We just did an employee differential study for the same positions, comparing state to city and county, and we are at 17.6% less pay.

That is my absolute No. 1 budget goal for this upcoming cycle. We need to give our employees raises.”

AN EARLY VIEW INTO THE LEGAL SYSTEM

Chief Justice Timmer attended Arcadia High School in Phoenix. As a teenager, she was robbed at gunpoint while selling movie tickets at a Scottsdale movie theater. “It was scary, but you always think, ‘How will I react in that kind of a situation?’ And it turns out that I learned I was actually pretty calm about it. It was a little bit of a

FBN Editor Bonnie Stevens and Chief Justice Ann A. Scott Timmer discuss her strategic goals for the Arizona justice system on Zonie Living. Courtesy photo

birds-eye view into the legal system.”

She attended both the University of Arizona and ASU and earned her master’s in judicial studies at Duke Law School. She worked in private practice as a lawyer in Phoenix for 15 years, served on the Arizona Court of Appeals for 12 years, appointed

by Governor Jane Hull, and has been serving on the Arizona Supreme Court for 12 years, vice chief justice for five of those years, appointed by Governor Jan Brewer. Timmer was sworn in as chief justice on July 1, 2024.

“A lot of people don’t realize that

the Arizona Supreme Court actually runs the state court system and the practice of law. In that way, we are very unlike the U.S. Supreme Court, which simply decides cases. That is the whole reason I have stuck around this long, to nudge the system in a direction that I believe it should go: to serve people.” FBN Arizona Chief Justice Ann A. Scott Timmer and FBN Editor Bonnie Stevens were friends at Arcadia High School in Phoenix.

Watch the full interview on Zonie Living at StarWorldwideNetworks.com

TOURISM continued from page 6

Speaking to Northern Arizona business owners and community leaders who want to encourage and enhance tourism, Urias listed tourists’ top choices for visiting the state: the outdoors, entertainment, cultural experiences and sporting activities.

“Visitors want to experience life the way you live it,” she said.

As if answering the AOT call for sharing their lifestyle, Verde Valley winemakers discussed how Arizona vineyards have burst onto the tourism scene in a big way with tours and tasting rooms.

“People like to see where wine was made,” said Tom Pitts, founding president of the Verde Valley Wine Consortium. “You talk about the place, not the grape,” he said, noting that people won’t remember the particular grape grown, but will remember the region where the vineyards are, citing examples such as Bordeaux and Champagne, in France.

The economic impact of Arizona’s rapidly expanding wine industry, which now is pouring onto the global wine-loving scene, has grown more than 500% since 2011, according to a recent study conducted for AOT by the Economic Policy Institute at Northern Arizona University.

“The tremendous growth of Arizona’s wine industry can be attributed to several factors, including promoting the state’s unique grape-growing regions, development of Arizo-

na’s wine-industry workforce, the proliferation of tasting rooms and visit-ready vineyards, and increasing promotion of Arizona wine country tourism experiences by AOT and others,” states an AOT news release.

“I believe we can grow any grape on the planet in Arizona,” said Eric Glomski of Page Springs Cellars, noting the many micro zones and opportunities across the state. “The majority of people, even in Arizona, don’t know that Arizona’s wines are world class.”

Ginger Mackenzie, owner of Vino Zona with wine tasting locations in Jerome, Sedona and Cottonwood, expressed the joy of promoting the pioneer spirit of Arizona’s wine industry. “We get to be ambassadors for Arizona wines!” she said.

Forest Service representatives also spoke at the forum, sharing their efforts to enhance tourism experiences. “Recreation is the portal for understanding and caring for natural resources and public lands,” said Tom Palmer of the Prescott National Forest.

Forum attendees also heard tips and strategies from members of the news media about how to promote their communities, attractions and businesses.

“One of the biggest takeaways from the media panel were the comments from reporters and editors about being approachable and wanting to hear

As Judy Franz of the Page Lake Powell Chamber of Commerce facilitated the media panel, KTVK/KPHO Arizona’s Family Reporter Mason Carroll, Discover Flagstaff Media Relations and Marketing Project Manager Ryan Randazzo, The Arizona Republic Food, Dining and Nightlife Editor Felicia Campbell and FBN Editor Bonnie Stevens expressed the importance of cultivating relationships with reporters and tourism officials, promoting the values and character of communities, and creating partnerships to attract media attention. Photos by V. Ronnie Tierney, Fresh Focuses Photography

story ideas from the community,” said Discover Flagstaff Media Relations and Marketing Project Manager Ryan Randazzo. “Sometimes it can be a little intimidating reaching out to the media, but the fact that they took time away from covering news to be there in person and encourage people in rural Arizona to pitch them stories shows they are committed to finding the best stories for their audiences.”

NACOG-Economic Workforce Development Regional Director Teri

Drew called the forum “an overwhelming success,” showcasing the Economic Development Council’s dedication to Northern Arizona’s thriving tourism sector.

“Attendees from four counties – Apache, Coconino, Navajo, and Yavapai – expressed positive feedback, appreciating the chance to connect directly with media contacts, like Quad Cities Business News, as well as gain insights from top industry leaders,” said Drew. “With dynamic

discussions on sustainable tourism, state and regional collaboration, a media panel, AOT, a wine panel and forest industry initiatives, the forum delivered both practical takeaways and an energizing impact.”

The Fall Tourism Forum was sponsored in part by Flagstaff Business News. FBN

NOVEMBER 2024 // Flagstaff Business News

@flagstaffbusinessnews DARK SKIES continued from page 26

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PODCAST continued from page 11

Professional and amateur astronomers delight in sharing views from space.

Comet Tsuchinshan-ATLAS was captured in a photograph from Flagstaff’s Amberwood neighborhood last month. Photo courtesy of Chris Luginbuhl

University at Kingston in Ontario, Canada, to collaborate on a college course called “Planets and Life.”

“That was in the 1970s and was one of the first such classes,” he said. “The chairs of the biology and physics departments wondered if it was about little green men, but they let us teach it anyway.”

Today, that love for the stars shines in a new book, “The Space-Age Generation,” co-authored by Brasch and other scientists who grew up during the ‘50s and ‘60s, when the Space Age began with the launch of Sputnik, early Earth-orbiting satellites, and NASA trained Apollo astronauts for flights to the moon.

“That era had an impact on so much of what we are doing today, including exploring the planets and all kinds of scientific and technological marvels,” said Brasch.

“This enthusiasm about the universe that Coconino Astronomical Society members like Klaus have is absolutely contagious,” said Luginbuhl. “You can see how much they enjoy seeing kids and adults light up the first time they see Saturn’s rings or the moon’s craters.”

For these reasons and more, the Coalition is honoring the Coconino Astronomical Society as this month’s Flagstaff Dark Skies Champion. FBN

That’s why most podcasts don’t make it past their third episode – it’s just too much work.”

At Flagstaff Video Podcast Studio, clients can book time to sit down for a conversation – alone or with others – and walk away 90 minutes later with a fully produced, professional-grade video podcast for the base price of $249. They can also opt for advanced editing, graphics, sound enhancements or even livestreaming to a hosted website.

Marketing experts say podcasting has surged in popularity, thanks to its simple, accessible format. Listeners can engage with content while going about their daily lives and adding video increases the medium’s appeal.

For businesses, a podcast opens a direct conversation with their audience.

“It’s an affordable means to connect with customers in a more personal way,” said Gencarelle. “It’s not just about marketing – it’s about building relationships.”

As Gencarelle’s client base grows, so do the creative ways his studio gets used. One educator holds livestreamed classes from the space. Marketing agencies and communications consultants can book studio time for clients without worrying about production’s technical side. Whether businesses want to create one-off videos, develop a podcast series or dream up something entirely new,

Gencarelle frames up video podcasters Amber Poturalski and Morgan Boatman.

Photo by Billy Miller

Flagstaff Video Podcast Studio allows the focus to remain on the message, not the medium. FBN

For those interested in exploring the possibilities, Gencarelle invites them to take a tour or visit flagstaffvideopodcast.com.

CORTEZ continued from page 15

“That forced stop, that collective heart attack, if you will, gave us the chance to recognize what was working in our lives and what wasn’t. And seldom have we had any time where we’ve literally been screeched to a halt like that and been able to forcibly take stock of who we are, what we stand for and what we want of our lives.”

Cortez points out that change seldom happens when everything is going well. “One of things I’m so aware of as an organizational psychologist is that we really do grow more when we’re moving through a challenge, when things are difficult. That is a catalyzing force that allows us to transform. It doesn’t happen when we’re eating bonbons on the couch and watching our favorite program on TV. It’s the struggle, it’s the way we persevere through that challenge that makes all the difference, and I would say has a direct relationship to the amount of growth that we actually realize on the other side.”

MANAGING THROUGH MEANING

Cortez has created a program called “Managing through Meaning, which she uses in her consulting work today. It teaches practical skills a manager needs, such as setting expectations and removing obstacles.

It also includes “nuanced skills anchored in emotional intelligence,” she writes, “such as communicating team members’ worth and potential and looking for ways to help them activate their individual sources of meaning (passion, inspiration and mindset) to increase their intrinsic motivation and fulfillment, among other areas.”

She adds that just as it is important for individuals to tap into their own uniqueness, tapping into an organization’s uniqueness is critical for realizing its potential.

RETAINING GOOD WORKERS

Cortez notes there are many reasons why people leave organizations. One is their relationship with their manager, which she says can be addressed through behavior and communication improvements. Another is that they don’t feel like they are learning and growing. “Many organizations don’t invest in their people.”

In addition, she says, “What if we did give ourselves over to passion at work? That would go a long way in making people not want to leave. And then when people understand that they are part of an organization they can be proud of, the organization has a purpose that’s mighty and one that they can align with and thread their own purpose through, that’s really a tremendous retention tool.”

Winter is Coming

ELEVATING BUSINESS WITH BEAUTY

In “The Great Revitalization,” Cortez describes how elevating a company’s purpose with beauty is about recognizing that business is far more than a profit machine, but rather a vehicle for self-expression.

“There is so much good we can do in the world through business,” she said.

Thus, Cortez believes companies can transform the Great Resignation, experienced after the pandemic, into their own Great Revitalization, performing at much higher levels of productivity, creativity and results. FBN “The Great Revitalization: How Activating Meaning and Purpose Can Radically Enliven Your Business,” is available on Amazon. Cortez can be reached at alise@alisecortez.com.

Hear more from Dr. Alise Cortez in her interview with Bonnie Stevens on Zonie Living at StarWorldwideNetworks.com.

W

ith fall snowstorms and snowmaking operations, Arizona Snowbowl is planning to officially open the 2024’25 winter season on Friday, Nov. 22, weather permitting.

Lift tickets are available, starting at $19, with selected dates offering $10 in Bowl Bucks, which can be used in Snowbowl restaurants, retail shops or the tune shop. Skiers and snowboarders are encouraged to purchase lift tickets online and in advance to secure the best deals this winter. FBN For more information, visit www.snowbowl.ski.

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TAADIDIIN continued from page 1

Nez explained that corn pollen is important to the Navajo culture and used in many ceremonies. She carries a small pouch of corn pollen with her and sprinkles a pinch to the east during her morning prayers.

“There’s not really that much exposure to the young people as far as cultural instructions are concerned,” said Begay. “The tour company here understands that, so that’s how we set up the program, so we can teach the young people. Tour guides want to learn the culture, the language and the history of the Navajo.”

In the inaugural class of the internship program, the teenagers enrolled were all members of the Taadidiini family, now Tadytin, the English translation.

“In our culture, the stories of history and tradition are passed on orally. They are not written down,” said Begay. “It’s understood that if the young people want to learn about it, they approach the elders and ask questions. Of course, the elders themCultural Advisor Paul Begay teaches the Navajo language, traditions and history to selves sometimes are willing to talk tour guides and other young people. Photo by Bonnie Stevens about it freely, but for the most part, they will wait to be asked.”

When Taadidiin Tours opened paintings. nance building and large equipment eight years ago, it consisted of two “We are growing and opening a like road graders, plus a fleet of Chevy Suburbans and a card table new building soon that will have all four-wheel drive vans, necessary where Rita Tsinigine and her daughthe amenities necessary,” said Rita, for transporting hikers and photogter, Jackie, sat on the side of Highway raphers while navigating the hilly, who, like Lady in Red, once roamed 98, about 10 miles southeast of Page. fine-sand-covered terrain – the same this land. She recalls running with Today, it has a gift shop, a mainteher friends under massive boulders, sand used in traditional Navajo sand

Taadidiin Tours Reputation Coordinator and Compliance Supervisor Angelita Nez, with FBN Editor Bonnie Stevens at Cardiac Canyon, leads visitors through narrow passageways and up through hidden swirling canyons while ensuring the experience is safe. “Compliance and safety is top priority within our company for our customers,” she said. Courtesy photo

scrambling up corkscrew-like formations and squeezing through tight rock wall passageways as a teenager.

“It feels so good to be here, to be home.” FBN

For more about Taadidiin Tours, visit antelopecanyon-x.com

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NOVEMBER 2024 // Flagstaff Business News

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TRANSIT continued from page 1

This is the second building in Arizona to use the cross-laminated, mass-timber construction method, fitting with the forest environment, rather than the more common building framework of concrete and steel. Photo courtesy of Emily Gerdes and Loven Contracting

This rendering offers an image of what the Downtown Connection Center will look like upon completion. It is scheduled to open in May. Courtesy photo

the transit center. The structure uses cross-laminated timber, engineered in a warehouse to fit together like a giant set of Lincoln Logs.

It’s only the second building in Arizona to use mass-timber rather than the more common building framework of concrete and steel.

This approach uses sections of wood from smaller-diameter trees glued together in multiple layers.

These sections are combined to create large beams engineered to fit together seamlessly with a tolerance of one-sixteenth of an inch.

Mortensen, a Minneapolis-based builder with offices in Phoenix, assembled the first mass-timber build-

ing in 2022. It’s a 184,000-square-foot office building in Tempe called the Beam on Farmer. The multi-story structure’s carbon footprint is 10% less than a comparable concrete building, according to Mortenson.

Flagstaff-based Loven Contracting, which is building the transit center, toured the Mortenson structure to learn the best methods for building with cross-laminated timber.

Timberlab, based in Portland, Oregon, provided the mass-timber materials for the transit center using Douglas fir, according to Sam Dicke, the company’s manager of client development.

Some advantages of mass-timber

construction include the need for fewer workers to assemble the posts and beams, and it can reduce the construction schedule by about 20%, he said.

“Plus, there’s a tremendous aesthetic benefit to building with mass timber.”

“Flagstaff is in the heart of Northern Arizona timber country,” Dicke said.

The mass-timber transit center is “really a cool story that shows the connectedness to the nature that’s around it. It really created a beautiful aesthetic. It’s a modern take on how we used to build, showing it’s possible to do it in a more sustainable way, which is pretty cool.”

Mountain Line’s Downtown Connection Center is funded by a $21

million federal grant, $6 million from the State of Arizona and $2.5 million in local funding. The City of Flagstaff donated the three-acre building site, valued at $8.46 million, according to Jacki Lenners, the bus line deputy manager.

The total investment is $38 million.

That includes the city’s $8.46 million in-kind land donation.

Loven Contracting has a substantial-completion date of April 7 for the transit center with Mountain Line scheduled to occupy the building in May, according to Kevin Bond, senior project manager.

That will complete Phase 1 of the Downtown Connection Center.

Phase 2 includes redesigning the surface parking area to accommodate safe movement of buses and construction of bus bays with electric charging equipment.

Phase 2 is contingent on the completion of flood-control improvements for the Rio de Flag on the site, Lenners said.

Mountain Line has 27 hybrid-electric buses and two fully electric models with four more all-electric models on order.

Mountain Line is the local transit agency operating nine bus routes, paratransit service, vanpool and seasonal Mountain Express service to Arizona Snowbowl. FBN

symptoms improve gradually over time, with lasting results. Repeat treatments can also help maintain symptom relief, particularly in degenerative conditions like osteoarthritis.

conditions. Your provider will be able to assess whether PRP is a good option for your specific needs and develop a personalized treatment plan.

While PRP has proven to be a valuable tool in the management of many orthopaedic conditions, it’s important to note that not all uses of PRP are supported by clinical evidence. Providers trained in evidence-based care will only recommend PRP for conditions where its effectiveness has been demonstrated through research, ensuring you receive treatment that aligns with the best available science.

promising alternative for individuals struggling with chronic pain and injury in the joints, tendons or ligaments. By utilizing the body’s own natural healing processes, PRP can provide relief from pain and improve function without the need for surgery. Whether you’re dealing with a stubborn tendon injury, early osteoarthritis or small meniscal or labral tears, PRP could be the answer you’ve been searching for. Consult with an experienced sports medicine provider to determine if PRP is right for your treatment journey. FBN

CONCLUSION

and rehabilitation physician with a broad range of tools to help manage pain and improve function for patients with musculoskeletal conditions. Fellowship trained in ultrasound-guided PRP procedures, Dr. Swain utilizes PRP as one of several advanced, nonoperative treatment options.

He also specializes in managing spine disorders, sports-related injuries, chronic pain and concussions. Dr. Swain is committed to providing comprehensive care that helps patients get back to the activities they love. For more information, visit www.flagstaffboneandjoint.com, call 928-773-2280, or text 928-628-6391.

Nathan Swain, D.O., is a board-certified physical medicine

PRP continued from page 21

a simple injection, making it far less invasive than surgery. For many patients, this means a shorter recovery time and fewer complications.

Natural Healing: Because PRP is derived from your own blood, there’s no risk of rejection or allergic reaction. The treatment harnesses the body’s natural healing mechanisms, which can be especially helpful for those who prefer more holistic approaches to health care.

Sustained Relief: PRP is not a quick fix, but rather a treatment that promotes long-term healing.

Many patients find that their

IS PRP RIGHT FOR YOU?

PRP is not a one-size-fits-all treatment, and its effectiveness depends on the specific condition being treated. It’s most beneficial for individuals with chronic, slow-to-heal injuries or those looking to manage the early stages of osteoarthritis. If you’re considering PRP, it’s important to consult with a healthcare provider who has experience in administering PRP for orthopaedic

Platelet-Rich Plasma therapy offers a

Tip of the Month:

Disconnect all outside garden hoses from wall hydrants in winter. Frost proof hose bibs require your hose to be removed for adequate draining of the barrel which is hidden inside the wall of your house and subject to freezing if not drained.

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Flagstaff Business News // NOVEMBER 2024

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