December 2022

Weatherford Hotel Prepares for Great Pinecone Drop p. 3

Arizona Nordic Village Adds Ski Teams p. 4

Studio Encourages Stretching It Out p. 6

Earth Angels Protecting, Healing, Saving Abused and Neglected Children

Flagstaff business owners team up with Operation Baby Lift heroes and Hollywood starlets as champions for children

By Bonnie Stevens, FBN

Beneath the beautifully stylish exterior of interior designer and entrepreneur Jill Babb, founder of Changes, is a fierce war rior for children. For nearly two de

cades, she, her husband, Bill, founder of Babb Financial Group, and a small army of local volunteers have hosted some of Flagstaff’s most lavish galas, called on celebrities and signed up business leaders to amplify the voices of children suffering around the

world and in our neighborhoods. This month, Jill gives thanks for what appears to be the dawning of the Childhelp “Speak Up Be Safe” pro gram in the Flagstaff Public School District, after her nearly decade-long crusade to bring the nationwide

initiative to Northern Arizona. “I believe Speak Up Be Safe is one of the most important things Child help does,” she says. “It empowers kids. We know that one of the most important things for these kids is to know that what is happening to them is not normal. A lot of times children think that everyone is having

Poco Diablo Introduces Willows Kitchen

By Stacey Wittig, FBN

Poco Diablo Resort has opened its new restaurant, Willows Kitchen + Wine Bar, as part of a phased $22 million renovation. Although the restaurant had a soft opening Sept. 15, it recently hosted journalists for a preview tasting of the winter menu and pairings with wines from the restaurant’s extensive collection. The tasting showcased Old World and New World wines, along with an Arizona white blend.

The resort, one of the first in Sedona, sits on the historic Chavez homestead. In this same pocket of meadowland, Marguerite Brunswig Staude, who commissioned the famed Chapel of the Holy Cross, lived on Doodlebug Ranch in the 1940s. The one-of-a-kind setting in Sedona’s Red Rock Country makes it an enchanting place to celebrate the win ter holidays or any season.

Earlier this year, the resort brought in Chef Evan Camp bell to refresh the menu for the redesigned space. Chef Evan promises to keep fan favorites such as the Firecracker Shrimp, which delivers a sweet-hot punch with sriracha sauce. Paired as a starter with a Riesling from Alsace, France, the dry honey quality of the wine and crisp minerality mitigate the heat.

Little Tigers Mark Their First Birthday p. 8

Ellen Navarro Brings Out Beauty p. 10

Large Animal Shelter Seeks Support p. 26

Le Cordon Bleu-trained Chef Evan Campbell serves up wellness and layered flavors at the Willows

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Weatherford Hotel to Ring in the New Year with Great Pinecone Drop

VIP Golden Ticket offers front-row seat and style

By Bonnie Stevens, FBN

With residents and visitors ready to usher in a New Year of hope, health and good cheer, Weatherford Hotel owners have announced the return of the Great Pinecone Drop to historic downtown Flagstaff and also the VIP Golden Ticket Event inside the grand Victorian building, offering crackling fireplaces, prime rib, a champagne toast to 2023 and a front row seat to all the action.

“We can’t wait to welcome the crowds back for the Great Pinecone Drop on New Year’s Eve,” said Henry Taylor, who owns the Weath erford Hotel with his wife, Pamela “Sam” Green. “It brings us so much joy to be able to share this elegant hotel with residents and visitors. It has been a true labor of love to restore it to its turn-of-the-century, early 1900s grandeur and continue to make it a special place for all to experience.”

The 70-pound, six-foot tall, LED lighted metal Great Pinecone has been secured in place to hang from the building’s cupola like a bright, uniquely Flagstaff holiday ornament. Meanwhile, the Weatherford Hotel team is decorating the three-story building inside and out as chefs plan for what may well be the biggest New Year’s Eve celebration Flagstaff has seen in years.

“So much has happened since our last Great Pinecone Drop with crowds in 2019, and perhaps now more than ever, America is ready to start fresh with a New Year filled with possibilities,” said Green. “We are so honored to set the stage for a renewed wave of gratitude and goodwill toward each other and optimism for what lies ahead!”

On Saturday, Dec. 31, three Great Pinecone Drop events are planned: noon, 10 p.m. and midnight. “The noon activity is great for younger kids and there will be an event leading up to it in Heritage Square put on by the Downtown Busi ness Alliance,” said Weatherford Hotel Event

and Sales Manager Kim Ward.

For evening activities, the City of Flagstaff will be blocking off the downtown streets with the expectation that thousands of revelers will participate in New Year’s Eve celebrations. The city is planning to set off fireworks following the 10 p.m. and midnight countdowns.

Inside the hotel, popular local band Jimmy and the Entertainers will be performing in The Gopher Hole Pub. Prizes will be given away on every floor on the hour from 9 p.m. to midnight.

“Our mountain town is known for its holiday magic with its beautifully adorned downtown, exceptional local restaurants, award-winning breweries and charming one-of-a-kind bou tiques. Of course, we are hoping for snow, which will just top off the festive season!” said Discover Flagstaff Director Trace Ward. “We have so much praise and appreciation for Sam and

Thousands of revelers are expected to return to Flagstaff’s historic downtown to join in sing-alongs and the countdown to the Weatherford Hotel’s Great Pinecone Drop on New Year’s Eve. Courtesy photo

The six-foot metal LED lighted pinecone hangs from the historic building’s cupola. Courtesy photo

Arizona Nordic Village Prepares for Winter Season

New this year: Nordic ski teams, Rossignol rental gear

By Bonnie Stevens, FBN

The crew at Arizona Nordic Vil lage is preparing for the winter season with the ski area’s first masters’ and kids’ Nordic ski teams, all new ski rental equipment and additional cross-country skiing races, including a marathon and sprint.

“The start of every winter season at the Village is highly anticipated by skiers, season passholders and staff members alike, but this year we are especially excited to offer a new Nor dic team for anyone in Arizona to be a part of,” said Village Operations Manager and Head Coach Annie Jeh le. “I am looking forward to the com munity and enthusiasm that the team will bring to Northern Arizona.”

The region’s first Nordic ski teams will meet for two practices per week, December through March, with the goal of cultivating new lifelong skills or improving current skill sets. The teams will meet regardless of snow and will have dryland practices and drills including running, bounding or biking, until snow is available.

All abilities are welcome. “We want participants to feel comfortable on skis, find a community they love and participate in races, events and training, all at a reasonable price,” said Jehle.

Meanwhile, Arizona Nordic Vil lage has filled its cross-country ski yurt with new, straight-from-the-fac tory Rossignol rental equipment. The Village offers full classic and skate packages for both juniors and adults, which include all the gear needed to get started on the trails.

Also this season, Arizona’s largest Nordic ski resort is adding to its second annual Nordic race series by introducing two new races: a marathon and a sprint. “The Pondo Classic Race Series is an excellent op portunity for kids, adults, new skiers and seasoned skiers alike to practice their skills and compete in fun, com munity-oriented, citizen-style races in Northern Arizona,” said Jehle.

“We encourage skiers of all abilities to attend and try to win a coveted handmade Pondo Classic medal!”

Pondo Classic races are scheduled for Saturdays, Dec. 17, Jan. 14 and Feb. 11. Each will be a different style of race, including short distances, sprints, mid-distances and long distances such as half and full marathons.

Arizona Nordic Village, owned by Babbitt Ranches, is located at 8,000 feet in the Coconino Nation al Forest, about a 15-minute drive northwest of Flagstaff on Highway 180. The Village offers cabins, yurts, cross-country skiing and snowshoe ing rentals, day and season passes,

and 30 miles of groomed trails. The ski area is open every day from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., for skiing and snowshoe ing (depending on snow). It will be closed on Christmas Day. FBN

Currently, the Village team is anticipating holiday season snowstorms to cover the

trails. For more information and snow conditions, visit http://www.arizonanor dicvillage.com or call 928-220-0550.

Left: Instructors Annie Jehle and Dan James encourage beginners and seasoned skiers. Right: Naomi Winard enjoys the trails at Arizona’s largest Nordic ski resort.

Courtesy photos

EXCELLENCE IN CANCER CARE

NORTHERN ARIZONA HEALTHCARE

Flagstaff Native Opens StretchLab Studio

By FBN Staff

StretchLab, the premier assisted stretching franchise, is opening its first Flagstaff location at 319 Regent Street, Suite 75. The studio will introduce people of all ages and fitness levels to the various health and wellness benefits of working with highly trained Flexologists in an open, modern, fun and approachable environment.

To give the Flagstaff community an opportunity to become familiar with the StretchLab experience, the new studio will celebrate its opening with six weeks of discounts for ser vices, including one-on-one assisted stretching and group stretches.

StretchLab Flagstaff is owned and operated by entrepreneur Heather Rosenfeldt. Rosenfeldt has spent the past 25 years working 15-hour days in corporate America and is ready for a new business venture. She loves working out, but after years of soreness in her hips and poor range of motion, her personal trainer sug gested she incorporate more rigorous stretching into her routine. While searching for stretching options, she was introduced to StretchLab and fell in love with the customized program style and the TRX MAPS machine

that shows flexibility progress.

“As a Flagstaff native, I was brainstorming ways I could bring something helpful to this communi ty,” said Rosenfeldt. “After my own journey with stretching, I thought StretchLab would be the perfect new addition to Flagstaff. Stretching has left me feeling stronger in my workouts and more functional in my daily life.”

StretchLab offers a variety of one-on-one personalized stretch ing services, including a 25-minute stretch that concentrates on the client’s current stretching needs, as well as a 50-minute head-to-toe deep stretch that addresses all major mus cle groups. Monthly memberships are available for four, eight or 12 visits per month, as well as drop-in stretch es.

The Flagstaff studio will also offer the TRX MAPS machine, which iden tifies movement inefficiencies across four critical categories: mobility, activation, posture and symmetry. The MAPS score is created utilizing 3D technology to perform a total body movement assessment scan in under 30 seconds as users perform three body-weight squats. Results are delivered on-screen and via email, which will allow StretchLab’s

Flexologists to better serve the needs of its diverse members. This creates a customized movement plan and of fers a measurable way to see progress in flexibility. FBN

StretchLab Flagstaff is open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday, as well as 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturday and Sunday. The studio can be reached online at

www.StretchLab.com, by email at  flagstaff@stretchlab.com or by phone at 928-377-1191.

Owner Heather Rosenfeldt opened the gym because she loves working out, but after years of soreness in her hips and poor range of motion, her personal trainer suggested she incorporate more rigorous stretching into her routine. Courtesy photo

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Take the first step. Sign up at businessonestop.az.gov. When you do, you’ll receive a personalized checklist with necessary trademark, tax, license, and permit information.

Out of Africa Celebrates Birthday Tigers

Equinox and Exodus are a year old

By V. Ronnie Tierney, FBN

They come when their names are called, love to play and go on walks, and at over 150 pounds each, drink from a baby bottle.

Meet Equinox and Exodus, Out of Africa’s Bengal tigers who are celebrat ing their first birthday.

As playful as they are, they may seem like big domesticated cats, but touching them is strictly off limits to visitors.

“I get to hug my tigers every day,” said Out of Africa Wildlife Park car nivore manager and biologist Addam Krauch. “They are growing so fast and realistically could be pushing 170 pounds right now, which is typical for our male tigers here at the park.”

Overseeing the Out of Africa spot ted hyenas, black bears, mountain lions, black leopards and wolves, Krauch has been at Out of Africa Wildlife Park for four years and has helped raise Exodus and Equinox since they were babies.

“They arrived here when they were just two months old but this is my favorite time with them because their personality really starts to come out.  When they were itty-bitty babies it was around-the-clock care, as we

had to make sure everything was all right with them, much like a human baby.  They are now starting to become more independent and getting more coordinated.”

Procured from a wildlife park in Upstate New York, Out of Afri ca Wildlife Park Co-founder Dean Harrison says it’s a privilege to raise tiger cubs. “You get to know them in a different light and after a while, they become your friends. But they are still cats at the end of the day, so we’re constantly reading them, watching their behaviors and making sure ev erything is OK and they want us to be with them. So far, these two have been phenomenal tigers and great additions here.”

When the tigers made a purring sound called chuffing, Harrison ex plained this is the tigers’ way of saying, “I’m happy about meeting you and I’m having fun. I want to play with you.”

“These guys are remarkable in our Tiger Splash shows. We take them down into the pool, we swim with them and we let them tackle us,” said Krauch.

“We provide the tigers a life that addresses all their needs, so they can have a full life. We let them play and hunt us because that allows them to

be tigers and hunting is playing for them. They do take us down from time to time, but without harm, because if they are playing with friends, they do not want to hurt their friends,” said Harrison. “Now, if they don’t have a relationship with someone, it’s a differ ent story.”

With a total of 200 acres, Out of Africa Wildlife Park is located on the outskirts of Camp Verde. Harrison said that every animal at the park knows his or her name. “Every animal has their own habitat with lots of room. Some cats go on the overpass from one end to another for new smells and new

adventures.”

Harrison and his wife, Prayeri, visited Africa in the ‘90s and became enamored with the animals; so much so, they did some tours with friends there. On one trip, they stayed for one month.

Out of Africa Wildlife Park carnivore manager and biologist Addam Krauch and owner Dean Harrison work together to care for the animals. Photo by V. Ronnie Tierney, Fresh Focuses Photography

Forestry Community Mourns Death of Beloved Professor Yeon-Su Kim

Search continues for husband, Corey Allen, Flagstaff business owner

By Bonnie Stevens, FBN

Flagstaff, the NAU community and foresters across the country are mourning the death of Forestry Professor Yeon-Su Kim. She and her husband, Corey Allen, were reported lost at sea on Thanksgiving while kayaking from Rocky Point. News reports state that Kim’s body was found Sunday, Nov. 27, by a local fishing boat about eight miles off shore. Search efforts continue for Allen, co-founder of the Flagstaff camera store, Hidden Light.

“Yeon-Su was an invaluable faculty member in the School of Forestry and esteemed academic leader who joined NAU in September 1998 and has served as the school’s executive director since July 2021,” stated NAU President José Luis Cruz Rivera in a letter to the campus community. “The first time I interacted with

Yeon-Su, I walked away impressed by her love of NAU, passion for our mission, and devotion to advancing the well-being of our university’s community.”

NAU College of the Environment, Forestry and Natural Sciences Inter im Dean Jim Allen says he has been receiving messages from forestry leaders from all over the country. “Many of the comments were about their memories of her as a person – her smile, warmth and positive attitude. There were also comments about her passionate advocacy for diversity, equity and inclusion within the forestry profession. Among other things, she was the chair of the Diversity Committee for the National Association of University Forest Re source Programs (NAUFRP). It was apparent to me that Yeon-Su was fast emerging as a leader on the national forestry scene, as well as a leader of the School of Forestry. It really is a tragedy to lose a leader with the pas sion, vision and drive, combined with such a pleasant persona, that Yeon-Su clearly had.”

A GoFundMe page, set up by fami

ly friend Lisa Aumack, reported: “On Thanksgiving at around 1 pm, Corey, Yeon-Su, and their daughter, Lux, went sea kayaking from a beach near Rocky Point, Mexico. Very strong winds came up. Corey took his

daughter to safety on-shore and went back out to help Yeon-Su. The strong winds and currents made their return to shore impossible, and neither they nor their kayaks have been found as of Sunday morning [Nov. 27].”

The page states that land, sea and air searches by volunteers and rescue agencies began late afternoon Thursday.

“This first impression would hold

According to reports, Corey Allen and Yeon-Su Kim were kayaking in the Sea of Cortez when strong winds came up on Thanksgiving Day. Courtesy photo

FBN

Woman Business

of the Month

Making Faces

Makeup Artist Ellen Navarro helps women see their beauty

By V. Ronnie Tierney, FBN

Putting makeup on her friends was fun for Ellen Navarro, but she never dreamed it could become a career.

“I was always ‘that girl’ when it came to doing make-up for prom or other events. My family and friends always turned to me. I loved doing it, but I had no idea that you could actually earn an income applying makeup,” said Navarro, of Ellen Navarro Makeup.

In college, Navarro studied adver tising at Northern Arizona Univer sity. “A few years after graduating, I got married and my sister-in-law was a photographer. Much of her work was with models and she utilized makeup artists frequently for her photo shoots. After watching and learning from her, I realized my love for makeup could be more than just a hobby.”

With the encouragement and support of her husband, Gabe, she stretched beyond her comfort zone and opened her business. “He gave me the inspiration to do something that I loved and, according to friends and family, something I was really good at.”

She says her spiritual parents also played a huge role. “They have a lot of business experience, so they spurred me on and helped bring legitimacy to my ability and natural gifts with makeup. That was pretty huge for me.”

It took Navarro a year before she announced that she was officially on social media. “It was a big leap of faith, but with the support of my parents and Gabe, I embraced my fear and did it,” she said.

Facebook Marketplace is where Navarro started advertising her services. “People responded, so I moved on to Instagram and the calls came in.”

“Ellen is just an amazing woman and makeup artist,” said Phoenix freelance court reporter Pamela Giffin. “She did the makeup for our daughter’s wedding, and the bride along with the wedding party looked breathtaking thanks to Ellen’s gift of artistry. My daughter, Candice, is very outdoorsy and Ellen made her look naturally gorgeous. She also did my makeup and I just felt so beautiful. Her professionalism and warm personality added to her work, everyone enjoyed her.”

“As a makeup artist, my goal is to

enhance the natural beauty in a wom an; I don’t want her to feel like she doesn’t look like herself, so I start off soft, as I’m very light-handed. It’s also important to have the ability to read or discern what my client is asking for and have the talent to know how to execute,” said Navarro.

Navarro will also take time to teach her clients how to apply makeup. “There are times I will do a one-on-one and share my knowledge and give tips and tricks,” she said. “My clients seem to really appreciate that.”

Helping clients see the beauty in themselves is one of her skills. “Some times women struggle to see the positive aspects of their features, so I give them a perspective of their face they’ve never seen before. It’s really fun.”

After seven years in business and three children later, Navarro is able to be a full-time mom and run a fulltime business. “My children are now one, four and seven years old, but I feel I’m as busy as I want to be. Once my children are all in school, I can see changes.”

“Ellen Navarro is truly a profes sional. She was so sweet, caring and loving to me,” said Salon 33 stylist Dee Wilson. “I told her I wanted her

to surprise me. She looked at my face and knew exactly what I needed. She was delicate and efficient and when she was done, I felt absolutely beauti ful. She is amazing and I will be using her makeup services for other special occasions as well as referrals.”

“It takes courage to be a makeup artist,” said Navarro. “The level of critique, opinion and judgment is

high. You’re not only an artist but you are doing artwork on someone’s face, usually before a big event and in a matter of minutes.” FBN

Ellen Navarro Makeup Artist can be contacted at @ellennavarromakeup, ellen navarromakeup@gmail.com, or 928-3087763.

Top: Ellen Navarro says it takes courage to be a makeup artist. “You are doing artwork on someone’s face, usually before a big event and in a matter of minutes.” Bottom: Ellen Navarro applies the final touches to Salon 33 hair stylist Dee Wilson. Left: Navarro and her four-year-old son, Rukah, enjoy Buffalo Park. Photo by V. Ronnie Tierney, Fresh Focuses Photography

Sonesta Suites Raises Support for Families Impacted by Fires, Floods

Sonesta ES Suites Flagstaff brought in more than $2,000 at its Oktoberfest, an event and si lent auction designed to raise money for United Way of Northern Arizona to support local families affected by recent wildfires, flooding and a tornado. Participating local brewer ies included Lumberyard Brewing Company and Historic Brewing Company. Sponsoring businesses in cluded Mammoth Restoration, Desert Financial Credit Union, Boston Beer Company, Sam’s Club, Grand Can yon Brewing Company, Oakmont restaurant, Twin Arrows Navajo Casino Resort, FlagTag AZ, Over the Top Nutrition, and Zion Realty’s Lori Anna Harrison. “We also want to thank United Way representatives for their support in greeting guests and helping to make the event a success,” said Sonesta ES Suites Director of Sales Ellen Jimenez. FBN

Meet Your Local Banking Experts: Tony Hannigan

Vice President, Commercial Banking thannigan@alliancebankofarizona.com (928) 214-3422

John Fockler Vice President, Senior Relationship Manager john.fockler@alliancebankofarizona.com (928) 214-3410 alliancebankofarizona.com One

Your banker should say what they’ll do and do what they say. Not one time, but every time.

Making a difference in adolescent mental health

PhD student Katie Mommaerts works as an Assistant Clinical Professor in NAU’s Department of Social Work.

Connecting Business with Environmental Sustainability

By Amanda Kristinat

Many see climate change as a political topic nowadays, that swings from being a life or death issue to one that’s not real – and everything in between. Irrespective of where you stand on the subject, the government is taking aggressive action on climate change that will impact your business.

The United States pledged a Net Zero emis sion target by 2050, and the Environmental, Social and Governance Score (ESG) is part of that plan. ESG is similar to a credit score that measures a company’s exposure to long-term environmental, social and governance risks often overlooked during traditional financial analysis. The goal is that ESG will help unlock competi tive value by acknowledging the importance of adapting to changing socio-economic and envi ronmental conditions to identify better strategic opportunities and challenges.

Requirements for the ESG program are rapid ly expanding. Currently, reporting is voluntary but will soon be required, starting with publicly traded companies. Businesses must adhere to federal and state regulations, and reporting re quirements are coming in 2024. On top of those requirements, banks, investors and insurance companies are already starting to require these metrics.

What does this mean for business owners and upcoming entrepreneurs? It means we need to start now by being proactive in adjusting to the coming changes and learning to be good stewards of Earth.

Sustainable business models are entirely dif ferent from regular business models. You don’t just look at the company anymore; you look at the whole system, from employees, supply chain, consumer and end-of-use life/waste. A standard business model only looks at the customer and how to profit by satisfying customer demand. In a sustainable model, you also look at the societal and environmental impact, so society and the environment become your primary stakehold ers.

The path to becoming a more sustainable business is long, and no strategic sustainabil ity plan looks the same. It may seem like an overwhelming task to tackle, but it can be done

in small, achievable stages. Each company’s sustainability journey is just that – a unique journey. There will be numerous challenges, ups and downs, and educational moments along the journey. There are plenty of small goals you can set and take today. With each plan, new doors will open and you’ll become a more efficient steward of the planet with each accomplishment. Looking for a place to start? Here is a quick, seven-step overview to get started with the process.

N Step 1: Create a green team or sustainability task force.

N Step 2: Define your new vision, mission and values.

N Step 3: Assess your current sustainability performance.

N Step 4: Create a plan for change (set small, achievable goals to start).

N Step 5: Get your employees engaged and on board.

N Step 6: Implement the plan and assess the results.

N Step 7: Don’t forget to celebrate your successes.

Outside of political views and opinions, it simply makes sense that we should all be better caretakers of this planet we call home. It starts with each business taking a step toward sustain ability to make a difference. Let’s make a shift toward a greener and more sustainable business future.

At Moonshot, we feel it is essential to assist building companies with ESG in mind and that it is incorporated into the design process from the start.  It is far easier to build in sustainability and consider each stage of the value chain than to adapt to an entirely new business model later. FBN

Amanda Kristinat is the chief financial and opera tions officer for Moonshot. She is an award-winning executive with 24 years of experience in for-profit and non-profit management, has a certification in Business Sustainability Management through the University of Cambridge Institute of Sustainability Leadership, is on the Forbes Finance Council and is a seasoned entrepreneur. To find out more about Moonshot and our programs, go to www.moonsho taz.com.

BY BONNIE STEVENS

Tapping into Intuition, Recognizing Miracles

Have you ever thanked your “lucky stars” for something going your way, or thought, “What a coincidence!” when an expert showed up with the information or equipment you needed at that moment? Perhaps you simply have remarked, “That was a miracle!”

I like to think of these instances as actual miracles, wonderful things that happen to us that we really wanted to have happen, or situations and events that turned out better than we could have imagined.

Author, children’s furniture maker and psychic detective Kiersten Hathcock says her intuition has become a roadmap for her life and, I would add, it can lead us to good things, like mir acles. Aside from hard work and perseverance, I commonly hear businesspeople attributing their success to a feeling or a hunch that they acted upon.

Hathcock’s extraordinary last decade or so has been all about following her intuition. In 2011, she was living in Los Angeles with her husband, Scott, and their two children. She wanted to find a toy box that would match their mid-century modern furniture and something fun their kids would use. She couldn’t find what she was look ing for, but something inside told her she could build it herself.

At the time, Hathcock was not a carpenter. Nevertheless, she bought a circular saw anyway, watched demonstrations online and turned her garage into a woodshop. She became so good at making children’s furniture, celebrities like Matthew McConaughey and Christina Apple gate ordered custom toy boxes for their kids. By following her intuition, or calling, Hathcock was unknowingly deepening her intuitive abilities. As she says, “Learning to use your intuition is like training a muscle.”

Miraculously, as she was covered in sawdust and coaxing pieces of wood into furniture for little ones, the spirits of children began visiting her. Upon investigation, she learned these were deceased children who had been murdered and often sexually abused. She would see them, hear their voices and feel their touch. Sometimes they would communicate to her through a sensation –a tug on her ponytail might mean to keep looking for a clue; pressure on her throat could indicate strangulation.

In this way, Hathcock began volunteering to help detectives solve cold cases and bring closure to families. In many cases, Hathcock’s connec tions would provide comfort to grieving parents with messages of assurance and love. What a miracle.

Today, while designing little tables, chairs and toy boxes for her Mod Mom Furniture company, volunteering as an intuitive medium and working with law enforcement officers to help unravel long unsolved mysteries, Hathcock also teaches young people and adults tips to help them tune into their own intuition.

Here are three:

N Pay attention to where your mind goes while your body is doing something that is familiar to you, like driving a car, taking a shower or sanding wood. “Think back to some of your best ideas and what you were doing

when they showed up,” she said. “I’ve found that when you’re doing something with your physical body, like taking a walk in the ponder osa pine forest, it helps you get into a state of mind that is conducive to receiving intuitive guidance. Simply knowing this will help you recognize what your intuition is telling you while you’re just moving about your life.”

N Ask for guidance through dreams. “Your sleep state is a closer vibration to your ‘guides’ spirits or your subconscious higher self,” she said. And I’m so glad she points this out because I know that when I am wrestling with a decision or trying to solve a difficult or complicated problem, I will commonly have a very vivid and symbolic dream. When I wake up, I’ll be amused of course, but also completely aston ished by the new clarity and sometimes will say out loud to the universe, “Got it. Thank you.”

N Become aware of your body’s intuitive signals. “When I was awakening to my intuitive skills, I felt more sensations and emotions than I initially saw or heard,” said Hathcock. “Chills were, and still are, a very strong intuitive signal for me. Mainly, they alert me to the truth.”

Highly intuitive people like Hathcock say miracles happen all around us. It’s up to us to recognize our intuitive voice and listen to the messages our brains and bodies are telling us that can lead us to them. FBN

To hear Hathcock’s fascinating transformational journey and how her intuitive skills freed her from a dangerous situation and also saved the life of a New York City private detective, watch my interview with Kiersten Hathcock on “Zonie Living: Business, Adven ture and Leadership” at StarWorldWideNetworks.com

Her memoir, “Little Voices – How Kids in Spirit Helped a Reluctant Medium Escape and Heal from Abuse,” is available through Amazon and at stores like Target and Walmart. For more information, visit modmom furniture.com.

Bonnie Stevens is a public relations consultant. She can be reached at bonnie. stevens@gmail.com.

YOU HAVE THE POWER TO HELP

No amount is too small to give.

Northland Hospice & Palliative Care is honored to be able to celebrate 40 years of service to the Northern Arizona Community in 2023. We strive to provide not only free DME to those in need, but also free grief support as well. Your donation, no matter the amount, will positively affect those in our community who need it most. Help us continue our mission to provide quality end of life care to those who need it, regardless of their ability to pay.

Neureuropathopathy or Poor Circculation? Diagnosing the Difffererence

Peripheral neuropathy is a condition that involves damage to the nerves in your feet. Symptoms include muscle cramping, difficulty walking, burn-ing, tingling, numbness, and pain. In many cases, it’s caused by diabetes, but poor circulation can also cause these symptoms or make them worse.

Poor circulation or PAD (peripheral artery disease) is caused by the buildup of fatty material inside the arteries, limiting the amount of blood that passes through them. “If an artery is blocked, oxygen and nutrients can’t get to your nerves and muscles, so they cry out for help,” explains Dr. Diana Perry, of CiC Foot & Ankle. “Cramping, burning, numbness, or sores that won’t heal are telltale signs.”

The good news is specialists are able to treat PAD with a minimally invasive pro cedure in an office setting. Using x-ray imaging, Dr. Joel Rainwater, an interven tional radiologist at Comprehensive Integrated Care, is able to go into the blood stream through a tiny nick in the skin to see if there is any plaque buildup.

“We’re able to see if there is a blockage and then remove it with special instru ments,” explains Dr. Rainwater. “Once the plaque is removed, blood flow improves.” Patients are home within hours and back to everyday activities with almost no downtime.

If you’re just realizing that you may be suffering from neuropathy or poor circu lation, make an appointment to see a doctor. Or, if you’re not finding relief from medication or treatment, a second opinion may be helpful to determine the cause of the tingling, cramping, pain, or numbness in your feet.

Dr. Perry and Dr. Rainwater can be reached at 928-719-7400.

or Circulation?

the involves feet. Symptoms walking, burn many cases, circulation can also worse. artery disease) inside the that passes oxygen and muscles, so Perry, of numbness, treat PAD an office Rainwater, Comprehensive bloodstream there is any and then explains Dr. blood flow hours and downtime. suffering make an not finding second cause of the your feet. reached

Peripheral Arterial

You may have Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD)—a life threatening condition. However, if caught in time, PAD can be treated without the need for invasive surgery with minimal to no down time.

Contact our office today to set up a consultation with one of our providers. 2310 N. 4th St, Flagstaff, AZ 86004

Expanding Access2 Excellence Initiative to All Arizona Tribes

By José Luis Cruz Rivera

We are approaching the end of a mem orable fall semester at NAU and I want to thank you again for your support of our Lumberjack family. I continue to feel honored to be a part of this wonderful community – a community that understands our enhanced focus on student access and suc cess, to ensure that an affordable, high-quality education is available to all who entrust their educational futures to NAU.

In November, as we celebrated Native American Heritage month and honored NAU’s longstanding commitment to Na tive American students and communities, I announced another important step in these ef forts: beginning in fall 2023, the Access2Excel lence initiative will be expanded to provide full tuition coverage to all members of Arizona’s 22 federally recognized tribes.

This extension of A2E for members of Ar izona’s 22 federally recognized tribes reflects NAU’s strategic priority of being the nation’s leading university serving Indigenous Peoples. Now, NAU will ensure tuition coverage is not dependent on family income level and will apply to all new and transfer students, includ ing those who live outside of Arizona but are members of the 22 Arizona tribes.

We pride ourselves on our service to Native American students and the communities they represent. Extending A2E eligibility for our Arizona tribal members is an important step as we plant seeds for the success of future generations of Native American students at NAU.

Our Mountain Campus in Flagstaff

is uniquely positioned to set the standard for Native American student access and success in higher education. We are located in close proximity to 11 tribal nations, including the Navajo Nation and our footprint in more than 20 statewide locations offers many access points to meet students where they live and learn. I am thankful for the collaboration and partnership that has made this initiative pos sible as we continue to elevate our excellence and seek Arizona’s engine of opportunity, vehicle of upward mobility, and driver of social impact.

Adding to this great news is the fact that nearly 2,400 students will graduate from NAU this month. This is a special life achievement for our students and they will carry with them the memories of being a part of the Flagstaff community – one of the best college towns in the nation – for the rest of their lives. Many of you are NAU graduates yourselves and remember the excitement of commencement, as you walked across the stage and heard your name called to the cheers of loved ones. I cannot wait for these celebrations and a fitting conclusion to the fall semester.

On behalf of all of us at Northern Arizona University, thank you for your support of our university and our students, and we hope you will join us in congratulating the fall Class of 2022 and welcome the next generation of Lumberjacks to the alumni family. FBN

Harrison Recognized for Client Service

Zion Realty agent Lori Anna Harrison was surprised with the National Excellence in Client Service Award this fall. The recognition comes from Homesnap, powered by Google, which honored Harrison out of more than a million realtors nationwide. “What client service means to me is being an ad vocate and being a sounding board throughout the process of buying or selling,” she said. “Most of my clients buy or sell every four to 12 years. I buy and sell every year and know what the rollercoaster feels like, from both the buyer and seller position.” Earlier, Harrison learned she was in the top 5% of agents for the first half of 2022, also recog nized by Homesnap. FBN

Disease (PAD) is a leading and preventable cause of death in the U.S.

José Luis Cruz Rivera is the president of Northern Arizona University.

Answering Questions About Sunscreen

By Jordan Miller

Iget asked three questions all of the time. What sunscreen should I buy? What SPF should I use? Are sunscreens safe? Before I address these questions, a little back ground on sunscreens will be helpful.

There are two types of sunscreens, chemi cal blockers and physical blockers. Chemical blockers absorb UV radiation and then become inactive. Physical blockers (zinc oxide and titanium dioxide) reflect and scatter the UV radiation before it gets to your skin. There are pros and cons to each type.

Chemical sunscreens usually go on easier and feel nicer on your skin, while physical blockers tend to be a little thicker and most go on more white. Chemical blockers can cause an allergic reaction and physical blockers do not. Physical blockers last as long as they are on your skin, while chemical blockers have a shorter period of effectiveness.

Both types of sunscreens block UV radiation (UVR). There are two types of UVR, UVB and UVA. Protecting yourself from both types is important. Physical blockers protect against both UVA and UVB. Chemical blockers all block UVB and have varying levels of UVA protection. Why do dermatologists care so much about protecting your skin from UV radiation? There are three main reasons: DNA damage, photoaging and cutaneous immuno suppression.

UVR is a known carcinogen for skin cells and causes abnormal linkages and structural changes in your DNA. Indeed, sunburns are not caused by heat from the sun’s rays but by your body’s response to damage in your skin’s DNA. UVR also degrades the skin’s collagen and elastic tissue, leading to premature aging and wrinkling of the skin. UVR also causes pig mentation alterations known as solar lentigines and poikiloderma.

UVR also causes the immune cells living in your skin to become reduced. These cells have

UVR is a known carcinogen for skin cells and causes abnormal linkages and structural changes in your DNA. Indeed, sunburns are not caused by heat from the sun’s rays but by your body’s response to damage in your skin’s DNA. UVR also degrades the skin’s collagen and elastic tissue, leading to premature aging and wrinkling of the skin. UVR also causes pigmentation alterations known as solar lentigines and poikiloderma.

the job of looking for damaged DNA and fixing it and killing precancerous and cancerous cells as they form. When this system is suppressed, you are more likely to develop skin cancers. This is the main reason that starting a sun screen routine is always the right answer. Even if you are 90 and have never used sunscreen, it is still the right answer.

Now, let’s answer the sunscreen questions mentioned above. The sunscreen you should buy is the one you will use regularly. If you polled all of the dermatologists in our group, you would get many different answers as to our individually recommended sunscreen brands. All of the sunscreens have similar in gredients. The differences lie in the other ingre dients, known as the vehicle. Find a sunscreen you like that has both chemical and physical blockers and use it.

As far as SPF is concerned, you should use sunscreen with at least 30 SPF. SPF values cannot be compared one to one. A 30 SPF sunscreen blocks approximately 97 percent UVR. A 50 SPF sunscreen blocks 98 percent of UVR. A 100 SPF sunscreen blocks 99 percent of UVR. A 1000 SPF, if it existed, would block 99.9 percent of UVR. As a comparison, a white t-shirt, SPF 7, blocks roughly 85 percent of UVR. If this t-shirt gets wet, the SPF drops to 3 and it now blocks 67 percent of UVR.

The safety of sunscreens has come to the forefront of late and usually focuses on two questions, the safety of chemical sunscreens after they have been broken down by UV radiation and the safety of micronized zinc and titanium. I don’t want to minimize anyone’s health concern but there are no scientific studies to date definitively linking sunscreen to increased cancer rates or systemic toxicity. On the other hand, there are numerous studies linking sunscreen use to decreased rates of melanoma, basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma.

Do yourself and your skin a favor and wear sunscreen. Apply it every two hours and imme diately after sweating or swimming and you should be able to safely enjoy an active outdoor lifestyle. FBN

Jordan Miller, M.D., FAAD, was raised in Joseph City, a small Northern Arizona town east of Flagstaff. He received his medical degree from The Medical College of Wisconsin, in Milwaukee. He completed his transitional years at St. Luke’s Regional Medical Center, also in Milwaukee. He completed his dermatology residency at the Med ical College of Wisconsin, participating in the care of dermatology patients at Froedert Memorial Lutheran Hospital; Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin and the VA Hospital. His residency included dedicated pediatric dermatology. After his residency, in 2009, he joined Northern Arizona Dermatology Center, practicing medical and surgical dermatology and seeing patients in Flagstaff and Sedona. Dr. Miller also works as the senior medical director of dermatology for a success ful medical software company, Modernizing Medicine, located in Southern Florida. Dr. Miller and his wife, Elizabeth, have three children.

For more information, contact Northern Arizona Dermatology Center, PC 1490 N Turquoise Dr, Flagstaff, AZ 86001 928-774-5074

Being Thankful This Holiday Season

By Lori Anna Harrison

As we look toward the holidays and re flect back to take inventory on the year gone by, there is plenty to be thankful for, especially for those of us fortunate enough to call Flagstaff home. While the macro real estate market has made national headlines for nearly the last six months because of the roller coaster caused by increasing interest rates, our micro market here in Northern Arizona has held steady – and normalization is a good look for us.

Some data points that might be of signifi cance are the real estate statistics in Flagstaff versus cities around the state. The price of a single-family home in Flagstaff has fluctuat ed during 2022; however, the average prices are still higher than in 2021. In the month of October 2022, the average single family home price in Flagstaff was $904,219, which is $384 per square foot. There were only 54 homes sold in October 2022, which is less than half of the 113 homes sold in October 2021. Likely attributing to the decrease in the number of homes sold are interest rate increases, result ing in buyers qualifying for less than they did one year ago and deciding to sit on the sidelines for the time being.

Our nearby neighbors in Sedona had an average single-family home price of $965,754, at $459 per square foot for October 2022. Al though it cost only 6.8% more to purchase an average single-family home, the average home is smaller, thus driving the price per square foot up 19.5%. Conversely, in Williams. the average single-family home cost $488,000, at $277 per square foot for October 2022 making it 46% less expensive than Flagstaff.

Shifting our focus to the Greater Phoenix Metro area, we find prices all over the board for an average single-family home. The low point or

most affordable is $468,004, or $236 per square foot in Surprise and the high point or most ex pensive is $3,465,981, or $603 per square foot in Paradise Valley. Just to put these numbers into perspective, in theory, a buyer could pur chase 7.4 times more home in Surprise than in Paradise Valley, versus Scottsdale where the av erage single-family home costs $1,318,015, or $440 per square foot. Theoretically, someone could buy 2.6 times more home in Scottsdale than in Paradise Valley for the same money.

While fascinating – and a bit mindboggling – to ponder the polarity in extremes of mansions versus regular dwellings in the Valley, where does Flagstaff fit on the spec trum? From a statistics point of average price for a single-family home we are most similar to Cave Creek at $961,471, at $361 per square foot. However, because the average home is 357 square feet larger in Cave Creek, Flagstaff still has a higher price per square foot. Based on average home size, Flagstaff is most similar to Anthem at 2,346 and 2,343 square feet respectively. With regard to the number of homes sold in a month, Flagstaff is most simi lar to Sedona at 54 and 47 homes respectively.

Regardless of how we slice the metrics, Flagstaff stacks up quite competitively versus many cities throughout Arizona. Perhaps it is simply refreshing to see that while we know our mountain town is not the most affordable location in the state, we are far from being the most expensive either. Let’s add this to the list of things to be thankful for this holiday season.

FBN

Lori Anna Harrison is a Flagstaff native and 18-year real estate veteran commencing post graduate school with Shea Homes. Harrison is a fulltime licensed REALTOR with Zion Realty, LLC. Call her today at 928-396-5851 or text 602.524.5674, email lori@AZdream lifestyle.com and visit AZdreamlifestyle. com.

Streetwise Chaplain Brings Experience to the Police Force

Nathaniel Bradford strives to encourage and comfort

By V. Ronnie Tierney, FBN

Stepping into his role as chaplain for the Flagstaff Police Depart ment, Nathaniel Bradford says he comes into the position with a great deal of understanding about the kinds of challenges officers face.

“I led a violent life and was a drug addict at the age of 14,” said Brad ford, who, at age 15, lived on the streets of South Bend, Indiana. “I was so bad, I was kicked out of the school system. I joined the army at the age of 17 and that brought discipline and stability into my life. As bad as I thought I was, those drill sergeants taught me a thing or two.”

Bradford obtained his high school diploma and eventually attended Bible College, earning his doctorate in biblical theology in 2014.

Today, Bradford is lead pastor at Mountain View Church in Flagstaff and does not hold back when it comes to sharing about his past or his frailties.

In his role as police chaplain, he will be supporting the whole depart ment and says he will assist anyone who wants to pray or just talk. “Along with the detectives, I will be there to encourage and comfort the recorders and dispatchers. People don’t realize the trauma people in these positions go through. I’m there for the whole team and their wives, too.”

Bradford’s decision to become a chaplain grew from his love for police. “My Uncle Tatum was a police officer in Chicago and I always looked up to him with love and respect.”

Flagstaff Police Chief Dan Musselman calls Bradford’s smile infectious. “Our officers love having Chaplain Bradford minister to them. He comes regularly to do rides

alongside them and check in with them. He also attends our police recruit graduations so he can get to know our officers’ significant others and extended families.”

Bradford also is a member of

International Association of Chiefs of Police (ICPS), whose goal is to pro vide emotional, moral and spiritual support to officers, staff and their families.

“I’m excited that Pastor Bradford

is here,” said Sgt. Odis Brockman, public information officer.  “He has a lot to offer and our department can benefit from him.”

Church of the Resurrection

Left: Pastor Nathaniel Bradford at Mountain View Church. Right: Flagstaff Police Department Chaplains Todd Linquist, Stan Syfert and Nathaniel Bradford join Flagstaff Police Chief Dan Musselman. Photo by V. Ronnie Tierney, Fresh Focuses Photography

Exploring Flagstaff’s Holiday Magic with Winter Wonderland Experiences

By Meg Roederer

Flagstaff is designated as Arizo na’s Winter Wonderland with snow-capped mountains, pristine snowy meadows and ponderosa pine trees sprinkled with fresh fallen snow. Experience Flagstaff’s holiday season of wonderful events, amazing activities and spectacular snow play opportuni ties to create magical memories and fun family traditions. Try these eight magi cal and merry must-dos to get started!

Joyful holiday events downtown are sponsored by the Flagstaff Downtown Business Alliance. Feel festive with the holiday shopping passport, winter won derland and tree lighting in Heritage Square, window decorating contest, 12 bars of Christmas, winter movie series, and the Noon Year’s Eve event.

Bundle up and capture the magic with “Skate at the Station” in the heart of historic downtown at the Flagstaff Visitor Center open Dec. 10-11 and Dec. 16-31 from noon to 6 p.m. And, mark your calendar for the annual Snowflake Festival on Dec. 10 from noon to 4 p.m., also located at the Visitor Center.

Share your holiday spirit with a

non-perishable food donation for the Giving Advent Box to benefit the Flag staff Family Food Center. This year, get crafty and make a festive box and each day add a non-perishable item to the Giving Advent Box. On Wednesday, Dec. 21, deliver your filled box to the Family Food Center, Late for the Train, FlagTag AZ or the Flagstaff Visitor Center.

Enjoy millions of beautiful holiday lights on display at Little America Hotel! Also, purchase tickets in advance for an adventure of a lifetime with the North Pole Experience (NPX). You’ll delight in the magic of the holiday season at Santa’s enchanting workshop and discover a toy factory, Mrs. Claus’ Bakery, Santa’s Sleigh and have family time with St. Nick himself. AZ Foothills Magazine voted The North Pole Expe rience the best holiday experience for children in 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2020.

Riordan Mansion State Historic Park is festively decorated and is open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Dec. 1-Jan, 6. There are also twilight tours at Riordan Mansion, 5 to 6 p.m., Dec. 22, 23 and 26, 27. This special guided tour will focus on the history behind Christmas traditions and guests will have the special treat of

seeing the Christmas tree and Billiards room photo transparency windows at night. Weather permitting, lumi narias will light the path around the grounds. The tours are recommended for ages 12 and older. Space is limited, so purchase your tickets in advance.

Skiing, snowshoeing and snow play are snow much fun! Did you know that Flagstaff accumulates an average of 100 inches of snow annually, offer ing a multitude of winter activities?

Experience skiing or snowboarding at Arizona Snowbowl, cross country skiing and snowshoeing at Arizona Nordic Village and snow play at Flag staff Snow Park with tubing, hot cocoa and outdoor fire pits. Stay in the know. Download the winter recreation map at discoverflagstaff.com, call the winter in formation hotline at 1-844-256-SNOW and access the winter wonderland webcam for real-time views of weather downtown.

Coconino County Fort Tuthill County Park offers ample snow accumulation, where locals and visitors can play in the snow, snowshoe and cross-country ski. There are watchable wildlife opportunities at the park, too. The park is free and open for day use,

from dawn to dusk. It is located two miles south of Flagstaff, on the west side of Interstate 17/Highway 89. Take exit 337 – the park is on the opposite side of the Interstate from Flagstaff Airport.

The annual Great Pinecone Drop is a must-do to ring in the new year Flag staff style! This Flagstaff New Year’s Eve tradition began in 1999, when the Weatherford Hotel rang in the new millennium and honored the Hotel’s 100-year anniversary. There’s nothing like lowering a 70-pound, six-foot-tall, well-lit beautiful metallic pinecone. There will be three countdowns and lowerings on Dec. 31 — for the kids at

noon, one at 10 p.m. to coincide with the New York Times Square celebra tion and another to mark Arizona’s midnight.

Here are a few more holiday sugges tions, from performances to parades!

N Flagstaff Shakespeare Festival

N Holiday dining opportunities at Lit tle America, Doubletree, Josephine’s and more.

N Holiday Parade of Lights

N Miracle on 34th Street at Theatrikos

N Nutcracker Ballet

N Santa at the Flagstaff Mall

Learn more at discoverflagstaff. com. FBN

Healthcare With Heart

ANAND, MD

Cardiac Electrophysiology General Cardiology

S. BEAR, DO General Cardiology Preventive Cardiology

NIRAV J. MEHTA, MD Interventional Cardiology

T. SMITH, MD Vascular Surgery

H.T. TRAN, MD

Cardiac Electrophysiology General Cardiology

KISHLAY

ROBERT

STEPHEN

ANDY

MEGAN ENGBRING, DNP, FNP-C General Cardiology

New Year, New Horizons with CCC

By Christal M. Albrecht

The first snowfall of the season has donned winter’s white cap on the Peaks, and soon, students will be studying for finals before thoughts turn to home and the holidays.

And then will begin a new year filled with possibilities. For Coconino Com munity College, that means I will step down as interim president and Dr. Eric Heiser will embark upon his path as the college’s sixth president. For the faculty and staff, that means a sea of fresh new faces to help navigate through educa

tional journeys.

CCC is about putting students first, so they, whatever their age or background, can imagine their own possibilities for their lives as they begin or continue their studies in the new year. It could be the possibility of a better job to support themselves and their families. It could be the possibility of achieving the dream of attaining a degree at a four-year university. It could be the possibility of personal enrichment by learning something new to keep their lives fresh and vibrant. Whatever those possibilities are, I am

//

With the pillar of CCC2University, students can acclimate to the environment of higher education in close-knit, familiar and comfortable surroundings before transferring to a larger university to complete their studies for a fouryear degree. With CCC2Work, students who are interested in moving into the workforce, or acquiring additional skills for that better-paying job, can do so as quickly as possible, sometimes within the span of a year.

//

confident CCC can lend a hand in making them real. It is a place to start small and go big, affordably, and where a solid foundation is supported by three pillars to meet the needs of all the com munities we serve throughout beautiful and rural Coconino County.

With the pillar of CCC2University, students can acclimate to the environ ment of higher education in close-knit, familiar and comfortable surroundings before transferring to a larger university to complete their studies for a four-year degree. With CCC2Work, students who are interested in moving into the workforce, or acquiring additional skills for that better-paying job, can do so as quickly as possible, some times within the span of a year. With CCC2Community, students can satisfy their yearnings to learn something new – whether it is CPR and first-aid training, computer programs or taking that art or science class they’ve always wanted to take.

I am also excited about the possibil ities in the new year of our Strengthen ing Indigenous Student Success project, which began in January. The project was made possible by a $2.1 million Native American-Serving Nontribal Institution (NASNTI) grant from the U.S. Department of Education. The project aims to increase Native Ameri

can student course success, completion rates and sense of belonging in the col lege community. One in five of CCC’s students is Native American, and it benefits us all to foster an inclusive environment to such a diverse student population. In the project’s first year, students were eased into the college experience with a Summer Bridge program that offered, at no cost to the students, English Composition and College Success Skills courses. They were helped in their studies by tutors, peer mentors and advisors. Addition ally, a Native American Success Center at the Page Center was opened this past summer, and another one was opened in November at the Lone Tree campus in Flagstaff. The centers are meant to create sense of a “home away from home” that is staffed with advisors, peer mentors and tutors.

Finally, voters approved a tax-reset measure for the college that will allow for new, expanded and continued of ferings focusing on career and technical training to help Coconino County’s workforce. In the coming year, the additional funding opens an array of possibilities to help the workforce needs in the communities served by CCC. Already, the college, in partnership with local law enforcement agencies, has begun the High Country Training

Academy, with the first class of cadets already working toward the Arizona Peace Officer Standards and Training (AZPOST) certification.

It has been my great pleasure to serve the CCC community these past few months while the District Gov erning Board completed a search for a new president. Although the time has been short, I have been rewarded with friendships and sweet experiences I will never forget.

I leave CCC in capable hands to imagine the possibilities for my own fu ture with my husband, Terry, and our family. I would like to extend a wish for everybody, as the new year arrives, to imagine the possibilities for their lives and then put in the work to make those possibilities real. I have no doubts that CCC can help. FBN

Registration is open for the spring semes ter, which begins Jan. 17, 2023. Learn more about CCC by visiting www.coconino.edu.

Dr. Christal M. Albrecht is the interim presi dent at Coconino Community College.

Angie Rodriguez Cal McLoy Mark Colletti Gary Nelson

Why is Good Circulation Important?

By Grant Fankhauser, M.D.

Having good circulation allows the body to function at its best. When part of the body isn’t getting the blood flow it needs, it can cause pain, cramping, fatigue, slow healing or even gangrene.

WHY BE CONCERNED ABOUT POOR CIRCULATION?

Poor circulation can definitely cause symptoms such as cramping or pain, but it also is an indicator that there might be blockages in important arteries such as those in the heart or going to the brain. Blockages in those vessels can cause heart attacks or strokes so we always screen our patients for arterial disease elsewhere, aiming to catch those potential prob lems before they become apparent.

WHAT CAN HAPPEN WHEN SYMPTOMS ARE IGNORED?

Ignoring the symptoms can, in the worst case, lead to amputation, but most people don’t ignore such severe problems. What I see more often is patients with symptoms that they underestimate, problems that keep them from walking as much as they would like or participating in activ ities that they enjoy. They begin to

think those symptoms are just part of getting older. I’d love to be able to tell all those people that there are options for treatment, options to make them feel better, options that are minimally invasive with very little downtime. It’s heartbreaking to see patients who have suffered unnecessarily for years when we have such good treatment options now.

HOW IS IT TREATED?

Treatment options vary from walking and exercise programs to outpatient procedures we can do in the office to bypasses or other surgical procedures that require hospitalization. Thank fully, almost everyone qualifies for the non-hospital options first. In these procedures, we make one pokehole into the artery and through it are able to take a detailed X-ray to visualize the blood flow and block ages. Through that same small pokehole, we can treat those blockages with techniques using balloons or devices that break down and remove the plaque.

WHAT CAN BE EXPECTED AFTER TREATMENT?

The beauty of improving circula tion is that results are apparent very quickly. People can feel the difference

with less pain, less fatigue and some say they even have more energy. Peo ple don’t realize how suffering can mentally wear them down, almost cause depression. Getting relief is like lifting a weight off someone’s shoul

ders. They feel better mentally and physically, and get back to enjoying things they had been avoiding. It’s really rewarding to help people like that. FBN

can be reached at CiC Flagstaff, 928-719-7400 or ciccenters.com.

Dr. Grant Fankhauser is double board-cer tified in vascular surgery and general surgery. He

NACA Support Services Helping Those in Need

By Lucinda Yazzie

NACA Supportive Services is part of the Community Develop ment department, located in the General Services Administration office, Suite 56, at the Safeway Cedar Shopping Plaza. Supportive Services has been part of the NACA services since its inception, just not at the larger scale it is today. The original intent was to help Native Americans who travel to Flagstaff with their multiple needs, such as providing gas assistance for medical appointments in Flagstaff. Today, the support continues in multiple areas to Native and non-Native community members of Flagstaff and nearby tribal community members.

The NACA mission and Commu nity Development philosophy guide services when engaging with clients by recognizing the clients’ strengths, honoring their voices (stories) and fostering wellness. This may include financial relief for the disproportionate ly underserved community members, referring individuals to other resources as needed, and providing emotional and social support. Supportive Services also provides support to those who are unsheltered, also known as “Unshel tered Relatives.” Every human being is sharing a space on Mother Earth; thus,

NACA’s community-based services focus on harmony and respect. Some tangible items provided to people in need are day bus passes, hygiene kits, PPE supplies and winter attire such as jackets, gloves and beanies.

The funds that fuel the Supportive Services program are donated by kind people in the community and across the state. The financial relief dona tions provided to those in dire need is always appreciated. NACA’s Support ive Services also provides financial support for K-12 grade students, to Native American patients of Northern Arizona Health Care, to persons in need of assistance with rent or utilities, to a family member whose loved one has passed and is in need of help with burial assistance, or to a person in need of ceremonial assistance for traditional care versus Western medicine.

Acknowledgement of these assis tances is always accepted with gratitude and humility. The impact of these contributions is huge and reaches the lives of many individuals of diverse backgrounds and needs. Some state ments from recipients include:

Taylor House Lodging: “Thank you for helping us with lodging at Taylor House; I drove [to Flagstaff] from the Navajo Nation in a downpour to spend time with my spouse, who is in the

hospital due to cancer, and spending the night at no cost to us was a blessing. I feel safer having rested, and can drive home with my spouse if she is discharged.”

Educational Enhancement: “Thank you for helping me pay for my child’s afterschool program. I can see that she is excited and looks forward to attending sessions. This will help her with her social skills because she is a shy little girl. “

Rental Assistance: “If it was not for this aid, I’m not sure where we would have ended up. I had surgery and did not work for several months; thank fully, I still have my job. My spouse is working a low-paying job and was barely making ends meet. Thank you so much for practically rescuing us.”

Hygiene Kits: “Thank you for the hygiene kits; I love the chapstick and sunblock. I need that because I burn easily.”

Burial Assistance: “Thank you for helping with the burial cost of our late father. We loved him so much and we are sad that we no longer will have him beside us. He had some health issues that we spent time on, like going back and forth to the hospital to get him the medical care he needs. You are a blessing, thank the people who donated to help us, we will remember them in

our prayers.”

Ceremonial Assistance: “Thank you so much for helping me with this cere monial expense. I have been through a lot with my health due to COVID and my work has been impacted tremen dously. I am barely going back to work part time; I have been unemployed for over a year, and it has taken a toll on my family. I am looking forward to this ceremony and to start healing.”

Bus Pass: “I am working on my recovery for 6 months, and it is hard to ask for help when you decide what you want to do for yourself. I take the bus to work and to my counseling appointments and it can be hard at times, but I keep getting up each day. I am far away from home, and I miss my traditional practice and my family. I am so thankful for the help; even my family [is] thankful to you for your existence.”

Utility Assistance: “It is embar rassing to ask for help, but the forest fire and floods have taken a toll on our finances; I so appreciate your help with paying for my utilities. I can’t believe I cannot afford to pay for it. Thank you, thank you.” FBN

Because the funds are donated, NACA’s Supportive Services can provide financial assistance one time per year, and aid is based on availability of funds. For more in

formation about NACA Supportive Services, contact a Supportive Service case manager at 928-526-2968.

NACA’s Family Health Center currently offers the seasonal flu vaccine, as well as the COVID-19 Moderna and Pfizer primary vaccines, and the COVID-19 bivalent boost er. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call 928-773-1245.

Lucinda Yazzie is a social services coor dinator. She and Selena Holgate are case managers in NACA’s Supportive Services program, within the Community Devel opment department. They work with a diverse population of clients with different backgrounds and needs that may require financial or social assistance. They also work with other partnering agencies in Flagstaff, like Flagstaff Shelter Services, where those who are unsheltered are served with needed support. For more information or to apply for aid, call NACA Supportive Services at 928-526-2968 and ask to speak with a case manager.

www.nazderm.com

Kelly

Honoring the Season of Gratitude with Five Simple Exercises

By Christina Kovalik NMD, Lac

The holidays are here and it is a great time to start implement ing the attitude of gratitude. There are many short exercises that you can do to keep you in that space of feeling and expressing gratitude on a daily basis. Many people can get stuck in a rut of complaining or in a negative space like it is a vicious cycle. They may be focusing on the bad things going on around them or negative thinking patterns. Like attracts like. Everything has energy or vibration, including thoughts, words and actions. Be mindful of the thoughts that you think and the words that you say to yourself and others. They are very powerful and can create illness and disease at the cellular level.

Be present, mindful and honor your feelings and life. Be grateful.

When you sit in gratitude and truly feel it at your heart center, it will radiate from you and make your day flow more easily. It does take some practice but if you choose to make it your focus this month, you will see the many ways that it will benefit all of those around you as well. Focus on creating thoughts that empower and inspire you and allow that energy to

rule your day.

Here are some easy gratitude exercises that you can do on a daily basis and focus on helping others to feel good, too.

1. Gratitude in Solitude Whether it is through praying, meditating or tak ing time to center yourself with deep breathing, just a few minutes in the morning before you get up and right before you go to bed to focus on your heart center will change your energet ic and neural pathways in the brain. Doing this allows more like energy and vibration to come your way.

Think about or list out all the things you are grateful for and allow it to keep flowing for a few minutes. Truly feel it in your heart! It’s easy to continue to think about and list all of the greatness that surrounds you on a daily basis. If you have a hard time listing or thinking of what you are grateful for then try keeping a “Gratitude Journal” by writing out all that you are grateful for and reading that list before bed.

After several minutes of focusing on gratitude and feeling it, smile and feel it in your heart center and through your whole body.

2. State Gratitude Affirmations Dai

ly  Affirmations can be said daily for a few minutes or repeating ones that resonate with you. It has been shown that by stating affirmations, feeling them and being consistent with stating them daily for 21 days, it starts to change the neural pathways in the brain. You start to change the way you think; you will notice how your viewpoints on life and its experiences change. You will also attract more like vibration people and situations. It is very powerful. Here are some examples of gratitude affirmations:

N “I am grateful to get to go to work to make a difference today.”

N “I am grateful to be able to share my gifts and talents with all I come in contact with.”

N “I love my healthy body, mind and spirit.”

N “I radiate joy, happiness, love and light to all through my heart center.”

N “I am grateful for my partner, family members, good friends and my pets.”

N “I am grateful to experience the beautiful nature that the earth provides.”

3. Spend Some Time in Nature Take five to 15 minutes sitting outside, walk in the forest, sit under a tree or

near a mountain or on a rock. Take the time to observe every detail that surrounds the space. Really look at, listen to and feel all the beauty that surrounds you, feeling gratitude for the air we breathe, Earth’s nurturing and grounding abilities and how it provides for us and all the life on the planet. Grounding is a great stress reducer and immune booster. It can often bring you more mental clarity as well.

4. Gratitude Shower Close your eyes, take a few clearing deep breaths to center yourself and place your hand on your heart. Visualize a light color shower flowing over you. It can be any color of light you wish. Allow that water to cleanse any negativity, tension, stress, other people’s emo tions and darkness to roll off you and go down the drain. When the water is visually clear and you feel lighter, take that clearer energy with you for the day.

5. Do Random Acts of Kindness By being kind to others, those little acts of kindness can go a long way and make someone’s day a little brighter. Do some

thing unexpected to help a loved one, volunteer at your favorite charity, let someone go in front of you in line, call or meet up with an old friend, bring someone flowers or donate money to a worthy cause.

In gratitude and thankfulness, I am so grateful and blessed to be able to share my gifts and talents as a naturopathic physician and acupunc turist with others. I am so grateful to assist people in their transformation to optimal health improving the mind, body and spirit. It brings me so much joy and happiness to be able to do what I love to do, while creating a ripple effect that spills over into improving people’s lives, health and outlook on life. FBN

Dr. Christina Kovalik NMD, LAc, The Vitality Doctor, is a naturopathic physician and acupuncturist specializing in hormone op timization, 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 928863-6086.

Making Sure Hearing Aids Work for You

By Jeff Lane, Au.D.

As audiologists, our main goal is always to improve our patient’s safety and quality of life. Typically, this is done through the fitting of hearing aids. Surveys have shown that one major barrier to accessing hearing aids is cost. In an effort to help address this barrier, Congress recently granted permission for hearing devices to be sold over the counter. Now it can be even more challenging for patients to know which option best suits their needs. Fortunately, you do not have to figure it out all on your own.

TECHNOLOGY

Now that hearing aids can be sold over the counter, it can be expected

that there will be a huge increase in available products. A couple have already been revealed in stores like Walmart. A few patients have asked me if the technology is any good. Honestly, it’s too early to say for sure. But the concern would be that all of this technology is unproven. There is no data to say how well they perform or how long they’ll last.

A major benefit of seeing an audi ologist is that you know the quality of what you are receiving. The brands they fit have published studies that verify that the devices provide the benefit they claim to. A lot of these studies are performed by indepen dent researchers, meaning the results are objective. They have also been around for decades, meaning the products have been put through their

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The hearing aids fit by audiologists are also on the cutting edge of technology. Not only do they amplify, but they have filters that help reduce background noise and ease communication. They also have an array of accessories, such as remote microphones, to help you hear in crowds or at distance.

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paces and shown their durability. Your audiologist will have the experi ence and knowledge to help pair you with devices that will best suit your needs.

The hearing aids fit by audiolo gists are also on the cutting edge of technology. Not only do they amplify, but they have filters that help reduce background noise and ease commu nication. They also have an array of accessories, such as remote micro phones, to help you hear in crowds or at distance. Can’t make it into the office? No worries! Most hearing aids can be adjusted remotely. And given that hearing aids have different performance levels, these features are often available at a very competitive price.

RELIABLE SUPPORT

Deciding which hearing aids to choose can be overwhelming. And once you are fitted with a pair, there can be a steep learning curve. After all, most people don’t even think about hearing aids until they need them. That’s why it is so valuable to have someone to support you along your journey. Audiologists have a treasure trove of knowledge and real-world experience dealing with all manner of hearing aid issues. No

difficulty or question is too small or silly. We love to help!

At the fitting, the audiologist can measure the output of the hearing aid to ensure it is as accurate for your hearing loss as possible. Over-thecounter hearing aids do not have a verification system in place. Also, it looks like a lot of over-the-counter models are designed to be set up through a smartphone application. This is definitely convenient, but may not work for those who do not have a smartphone or are uncomfortable using one. After programming them, the audiologist will review how to use the hearing aids and answer any and all questions that arise, ensuring that you are confident in operating them when you walk out the door.

But of course, technology doesn’t always work as intended. The sound quality may be good in one area, but bothersome in another. The hearing aids may somehow malfunction and need to be repaired. Or they may simply need cleaning with tools too small for someone to see or manipulate. All of these things can be addressed by the audiologist. Simply call them or walk in, and they can get you back up and running. Audiology offices

provide peace of mind that help is always on hand. Any hearing aid you receive from an audiologist will have a multi-year warranty, meaning repairs are often free!

FRIENDLY FACES

Most audiology offices are small and local. This means that they have a consistent staff through the years. The providers know you and your history. You don’t have to worry about learning new faces every time you need help. Plus, you can trust that the audiologist is going to make recommendations that best suit your particular needs.

When it comes to amplification, anything is going to be more helpful than nothing. So, if over-the-counter hearing aids are the best option at the time, go for it. Just don’t discount the value of exploring all your options.

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 pas sion for improving the lives of others. Dr. Lane may be reached at 928-522-0500 or at audio@ trinityhearing.net

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Workforce recruitment in this special section is made possible for Flagstaff businesses at a 50% reduced rate as a result of a City of Flagstaff sponsorship. Please contact FBN: Amy@Flagstaffbusinessnews.com or 602-909-3910 for more information.

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Large Animal Shelter Welcomes Visitors, Volunteers

By Stan Bindell, FBN

As the cost of living continues to rise, caring for large animals has become more challenging as well. Dawn Chapton, co-owner of CP Mules and Equine Rescue in Chino Valley, said the non-profit organization recently received $500 in donations, but it continues to need help with both money and volunteers.

CP Mules and Equine Rescue has 26 horses, 12 pigs, one cow, chickens, ducks and two turkeys – Tom and Brady. Chapton says many of their horses are purchased to save them from slaughter, but they also have horses that were neglected or were given up. “If people can’t afford to feed them or take care of them, we can take them in,” she said.

CP Mules and Equine Rescue offers visitors the opportunity to ride horses and will even give them lessons, but Chapton asks that they volunteer in exchange, with tasks like grooming the horses or cleaning the stalls. “We just want people to love on the horses. We encourage them to bring apples and carrots,” she said.

Visitors to CP Mules are greeted by friendly pigs, chickens and turkeys and are encouraged to pet the pigs and turkeys. Chapton is constantly hugging the turkeys, exclaiming that no one was getting them for Thanks giving dinner.

Aside from being open to the pub lic, CP Mules and Equine Rescue has special events. The organization had a Halloween event that offered photos with the horses as well as tricks and treats. Christmas events are being planned as well.

For Chapton, caring for animals is a lifelong passion. She sees it as her duty to save horses. “Some of the horses come in with scars and others have obviously been neglect ed. The animals – that is what our love is. When we see kids and adults

with smiles on their faces, it makes it worthwhile. Then we see smiles on the animals, too.”

One horse, Pearl, was obtained from a police seizure. The mini horse is a bit skittish before warming up to visitors. Chapton says she was brought there to die and she credits co-owner Cale Porter, also her boyfriend, with staying with the horse all night during her first night at CP Mules and Equine Rescue to keep her alive.

The rescue also strives to find homes for horses, mules and other animals.

Wayne Bruner, one of the volun teers, said he feels good about saving animals’ lives. “Some people throw them away. They treat them like they are not even animals.”

Chapton grew up with horses in Southern California. She credits her late father, Dr. Donald Chapton, for teaching her about horses. She studied equine science at Cal Poly in Pomona, California, and earned a certification in horse breeding, including artificial insemination. At one time, she owned a horse trans port business in Temecula, Califor nia, where she moved horses during fires and other emergencies.

Chapton and Porter opened CP Mules and Equine Rescue about three and a half years ago. The animal par adise sits on three acres. “We really need more land so that the horses can graze in a pasture and eat more grass,” she said. FBN

For more information or to make a dona tion, call CP Mules and Equine Rescue at 951-293-6226.

Volunteer Wayne Bruner works with co-owner Dawn Chapton to care for animals, some of which have been mistreated or surrendered by owners. Photos by Stan Bindell

Keeping Your New Year’s Resolution to Get Sober

By Roy DuPrez

The new year provides an oppor tunity for many people to start fresh, begin eating healthy and start exercising. This is also a great time for those battling addiction to set goals for recovery. One of the best things a person can do is set them selves free from addiction. Getting sober can improve nearly every aspect of a person’s life by repairing long damaged relationships and boosting overall health.

Starting the new year is always an exciting time for new beginnings. If you are one of those people going through addiction and are deciding whether to make this new start on the path of sobriety, you must under stand this isn’t a one-time decision. You must set goals and plan realistic ways of achieving them. During recovery, you will feel stressed and discouraged if you find yourself not achieving the goals you set in the right timeframe. To overcome these roadblocks, here are five tips to help you achieve your New Year’s resolu tion to get sober.

CREATE TIME FOR YOURSELF

Daily life can become overwhelming for anyone. Between work, family

and errands, it can feel like you have no time for yourself. When you feel stressed and exhausted, it is easy to overlook any signs of progress you are making in your recovery. This discouragement may make it tempt ing to slip back into your old lifestyle.

Avoid these feelings by making time for yourself each day. During these times, reflect on the progress you have made and how that makes you feel. Be grateful for the good things you have in your life and the steps you are taking to make a better you. A few ways you can keep track of your progress and help you reflect are journaling, meditation and yoga.

Whether you only have 10 minutes a day or can block out an hour, taking this time for yourself will help you press on in your recovery.

TAKE ONE DAY AT A TIME

Making the decision to get sober isn’t a one-time decision. To make a lasting change in your life, you must commit to recovery each day. Focus on your sobriety every day instead of a month, a year or even your entire life. By focusing on your sobriety one day at a time, you can make your sobriety goal less daunting. Remem ber, sobriety is a choice you must make daily.

You can’t change what you did in the past. You can only focus on the here and now and what you have control over. Each morning when you wake up, reaffirm your decision to lead a sober lifestyle. As time pass es you will be able to look back and see the progress you have made as the days start adding up.

FIND A SUPPORT GROUP

People in the midst of addiction often find the people around them don’t understand the struggle they are going through. Finding a support group with people who have been where you are and are going through a similar situation is a great benefit in helping with recovery. Thousands of Alcoholic Anonymous and Narcot ics Anonymous meetings take place each day across the country. In these meetings, you will find resources to help you with your recovery, people who know the struggle and a recovery method that has worked for thousands of people. Search around to find the right group for you and it will help you fight the everyday struggle that is addiction.

FIND NEW HOBBIES

Odds are that during your addiction

many of your past hobbies and activities you used to enjoy have fallen to the wayside. One key aspect of recovery is figuring out how to spend your time and how you think about spending your free time.

Finding new hobbies also means ending relationships with people you used to associate with. Making new experiences helps boost your personal growth and adds fulfillment to your life. Now that you’re not using drugs and alcohol, you have the time to put into your passions. Pick up that guitar that has been collecting dust for years, try painting, photography or maybe even pickleball. Recovery becomes easier when you replace former bad habits with healthy ones. Getting out and experiencing new things also helps you connect with new people who support your lifestyle.

FORGIVE YOURSELF IF YOU BACKSLIDE

The worst thing that can happen if you relapse is you let it break your spirit. A lapse in your recovery is not a reason to give up completely. Use these moments, if they occur, to learn and grow. Recognize your mistake, address it, forgive yourself and start the next day back on the road to

recovery.

Getting through the holiday season is often difficult for people in addiction. Creating a plan for the new year will help you start off right and set a path to recovery. Understand that it is not going to be easy. Addic tion is not a sprint. It is a marathon. If you follow these few simple steps, it can help you start and stay on that path.

FBN

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 young men, ages 18 to 35, recover from addiction to drugs and alcohol.

Back2Basics is an adventure recovery program, up to six months, for young adult males ages 18-30 with substance abuse is sues looking for a positive and meaningful life. In our program, clients are exposed to a weekly combination of both wilderness ad ventures and residential programming. For more information, visit back2basicsout dooradventures.com, call 928-814-2220 or email rduprez@b2badventures.com.

Considering Guns as Gifts

By Rob Wilson

Tis the season of gifts and giv ing. Some of you may be consider ing the gift of a firearm for a loved one. Wait, is that even legal?

‘

The first question on the ATF form 4473 asks “Are you the actual transfer ee/buyer of the firearm(s) listed on this form and any continuation sheet(s) (ATF Form 5300.9A)? Warning: You are not the actual transferee/buyer if you are acquiring the firearm(s) on behalf of another person. If you are not the actual transferee/buyer, the licensee cannot transfer the firearm(s) to you.“

Sure sounds like the ATF is saying you cannot purchase a firearm for someone else. The good news is that you can gift a firearm, providing a couple of specific circumstances are met. First, it is always illegal to transfer a firearm to anyone you know (or should know) is a prohibited posses sor. Second, you can’t gift a firearm to someone not old enough to own one. In Arizona, you must be 18 years old to own either a rifle or a handgun.

So, you can gift a firearm but is it a good idea? We’ve seen plenty of folks come to our range to try out their brand new firearm, either purchased or gifted to them. Frequently, they are

disappointed after just a few shots. Re gardless of the experience of those that would recommend what you should get, they can’t tell you what the best firearm for you is, only you can do that. Just like buying shoes, if the fit isn’t right, you won’t like the results.

The most frequent mistake is think ing that because a firearm is physically small, it’ll be easier to shoot. Actually, just the opposite is true. The smaller (and therefore lighter) a firearm is, the more recoil you’ll feel shooting it. Smaller firearms are more difficult to get a good grip on, have shorter, less ac curate barrels and sights that are closer together and more challenging to use.

Another frequent mistake is thinking that only a revolver is “simple” enough for a beginning shooter. Revolvers offer their own challenges when shooting because they frequently require a lot of pressure on the trigger. That pressure makes it more difficult to keep your sights on the target and therefore results in less than optimum accura cy. Semi-automatic firearms are not difficult to use, that’s why they are the firearm of choice for law enforcement and the military. The only way to get the best firearm for you is to try it yourself and find the one that is most comfortable and accurate for you.

We recommend that rather than purchasing a firearm as a gift, you instead get a gift card that your relative or friend can use to purchase the right firearm for themselves.

Other options would be gifting them a class like “Introduction to Handguns” that starts with the fundamentals of safety, stance, grip and sight alignment.

A course like that provides the knowledge to enable them to pick the very best firearm after trying a variety of them. You may know someone that has never shot a firearm and would like to just experience it firsthand. The “First Shots” program provides a safe, easy way to find out just how much fun the shooting sports are! FBN

Rob Wilson is the owner (with his wife, Elise) of Timberline Firearms & Training in Flagstaff. They offer a full line of firearms, accessories, safes and ammunition along with Liberty Safes. For more information, visit timberlinefirearms.us.

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Honored for Celebrating Astronomer Carolyn Shoemaker, NightVisions

The legacy of Flagstaff astronomer Carolyn Shoemaker, along with appreciation for Flagstaff’s dark skies, took center stage at the Coconino Center for the Arts from May through August when the team at Creative Flagstaff, in collaboration with the Flag staff Dark Skies Coalition, celebrated a grand re-opening of the Coconino Center for the Arts with a reception and NightVisions exhibition, following extensive renovation work.

CCA Exhibitions and Programs Director Julie Comnick described NightVisions: Cultural Interpretations of the Night Sky as “an elegant syn thesis of contemporary artworks and astronomical artifacts” that brought “the vastness of the night skies into contemplative reach.”

Astronomer David Levy, part of the trio with Carolyn and her husband, Eugene “Gene” Shoemaker, that dis covered the Shoemaker-Levy Comet,

was the keynote speaker at the event’s opening reception. He said a comet to Carolyn was something special and miraculous. “When she found an asteroid, she’d say something like, ‘That was interesting. I’ll add it to my tally.’ But comets, they were priceless, they were beyond measure, they were holy in a way.”

Carolyn, who became an astronomer at age 51, is quoted as saying, “I do not know what I have, but it looks like a squashed comet,” while studying films that revealed the fragmented comet pulled apart by Jupiter’s gravitational pull. For more than a year, the astron omers tracked the ill-fated comet on its collision course with the giant planet.

On July 16, 1994, the Shoemaker-Levy Comet dominated the news with its cosmic crash into Jupiter, viewed around the world through telescopes and on television.

NightVisions was created by the Flagstaff Dark Skies Coalition as an exhibition expressing artists’ perceptions of the night sky.

Courtesy

What Do You Mean the Seller Financed?

By Blake Cain

Happy Holidays, Flagstaff.

Anyone who has been paying close attention to the real es tate market in 2022 is a witness to the roller coaster ride buyers and sellers have been on. Flagstaff is still holding on to some pretty big gains from 2020 to early 2022, despite prices currently tapering off.

Now, though, buyers have slightly more inventory to choose from and as a result, they have negotiating power, something that was unheard of this time last year. Time will only tell what happens with inflation and interest rates, but as mentioned in my previous articles, real estate is one of the best assets to own during times of inflation.

In real estate, there are many ways to go about purchasing a property. In these interesting times, it is important to get creative when putting together a deal. Buyers need to consider all their options. Not everyone knows about the type of financing that I am going to discuss here, tradition ally called a “Seller Carryback,” or “Owner Financing.” Could this be an option you entertain for a future purchase or sale?

Usually, when we think of

purchasing a home, we have a few well-known options to consider. A common way to acquire a property is by purchasing it with cash. This cash can be pulled through various sources like your bank or investment portfolios. However, the majority of buyers opt to finance their home through a lender, creating a monthly payment that is affordable to each specific client’s budget. The terms of these loans will vary.

So what is a Seller Carryback? In short, Seller Carryback financing is when the seller provides the financ ing. The seller acts as the bank or lender and carries the mortgage on the property, and the seller collects monthly payments from the buyer.

This could be a great option for a seller when the seller is struggling to sell a home because of lenders not allowing the full financing amount needed, or, to simply increase the buying pool for the home. For some, this is also a great investment opportunity. For buyers, this could be a great way to get into a property without going through the traditional means of qualifying for a loan. In many cases, this option offers more desirable contractual terms to the seller.

Some key benefits for the buyer include the following:

N Negotiating the interest rate. With rates continuing to rise, it is abso lutely possible for the buyer and seller to negotiate an interest rate well below today’s market.

N No lender fees. Obtaining a loan through a lender comes with many fees. By utilizing the Seller Carryback, the buyer avoids these lender fees.

N Credit checks by the seller. Not all buyers and sellers will require a credit check. In other words, this is a negotiable discussion between buyer and seller.

In some cases, there is no need to have a typical 30 to 45 day closing. For example, the buyer could, in theory, close on the home in just a couple of weeks, or, pending any inspection or due diligence timelines, it could be even quicker to the close (or longer, if that is preferred).

The date of your first payment is also negotiable and could be delayed two or three months post-closing.

You will need to consider down payment terms. Typically what I see is the seller will want significant monies down to cover paying off the current mortgage, realtor represen tation fees, and to put a little in the

bank. Not all buyers have these funds available on hand.

I often see deals with five or 10year balloon payments (where at the time the balloon matures, the entire principal amount becomes due and payable). This could pose a risk to a buyer if there is not enough time to come up with all due and payable cash. The common remedy for such buyers is to refinance the home with a local lender to get the seller paid-off in time. Everything is negotiable and we do see sellers acquiring loans for 15 to 30 years.

Sellers benefit in that they are earning interest income over and above the principal that will be due at some point, as opposed to a straight cash sale.

The property is secured as col lateral on the loan. The worst-case scenario is that the buyer becomes delinquent on payments and the seller is forced to foreclose on the home. In my opinion, this is the least desirable scenario for the seller, but at least you have the real property to fall back on as collateral.

The point I would like to drive home here is that if you believe in the value of your home and are confident that the prospec

tive buyer will make the payments without fail, then this could be a great investment and means to facilitate the sale of your property. You could gain interest income on the unpaid bal ance for many years into the future, interest which would far exceed the rate being paid by banks on savings or money market accounts.

Having a realtor who understand the intricacies of this type of trans action and the paperwork required to make it happen is essential, not to mention the negotiating expertise that will come into play. Having the best representing you will have you resting assured that you are entering into the best deal for you. Good luck.

FBN

Blake Cain is a local Realtor with Russ Lyon Sotheby’s International Realty. He can be reached at 928-856-9071 or blakecain.com.

Welcomes Dr. Brian Cripe

Dr. Brian Cripe is currently accepting new patients for cosmetic surgery, reconstructive surgery, and hand and wrist surgery conditions.

Tackling Perimenopause

By Amber Belt, ND

Women have many reproduc tive stages throughout their lives and each stage brings its own set of challenges. A woman’s menstrual cycle is an indicator of her general health, so maintaining a healthy cycle is part of maintaining not only hormonal health, but also general health. Fertility, menarche (onset of the first menstrual cycle), and menopause are widely recognized in women’s health, but perimenopause deserves recognition, too. As a perimenopaus al woman myself, I can tell you that perimenopause does have its own set of challenges and deserves wider recogni tion as an important stage of a woman’s reproductive life! In this article, I will discuss perimenopause and strategies to maintain healthy hormones.

WHAT IS PERIMENOPAUSE?

Perimenopause is the period in a woman’s reproductive life where her hormones begin to shift toward a menopausal state. Generally, perimeno pause will happen eight to 10 years before menopause. For many women, that will be from age 40 to 44, but can begin when a woman is in her 30s.

During perimenopause, a woman’s hormones begin to shift. Generally,

I will start to see a decline in pro gesterone before I will see a decline in estrogen in my perimenopausal patients. The decline in progesterone can make it seem like there’s too much estrogen in the body. Testosterone can sometimes shift downward in perimenopause as well. If a woman is under a lot of stress, as many of us are, this can disrupt her stress hormones, which, in turn, can disrupt estrogen and progesterone. Hormone balance can get complicated because of their interconnected nature, so it is import ant to address hormone balance with a wide lens and not focus solely on estrogen and/or progesterone. I often see patients who are just addressing es trogen and progesterone and continue to struggle with their perimenopausal symptoms.

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS?

When hormones are shifting and unbalanced during perimenopause, they can bring a whole host of un comfortable symptoms! Some of these symptoms include:

N Heavy bleeding during menses

N Increased length of PMS moodiness (sometimes half of the month!)

N Increased breast tenderness

N Insomnia

N Hot flashes

N Irregular periods

N Low libido

INTERVENTIONS FOR PERIMENOPAUSE

My preference as a practitioner is to address symptoms at a root cause level rather than cover up symptoms with medications, which is especially common especially during perimeno pause. We need to recognize that you can’t out-medicate or out-supplement a poor diet and lifestyle. This absolutely holds true for perimenopausal women. A lot of 40-something women tend to be caregivers and put ourselves far down on our list of priorities. But we can’t do this and continue to be healthy enough to maintain our health and take care of others. Here are some interventions that can be undertaken to help balance hor mones and maintain hormone health:

N Maintaining muscle mass. Weight lifting and maintaining healthy muscle mass is, perhaps, the best thing a woman can do to balance her hormones so that she can navigate perimenopause and head into meno pause as healthy as possible.

N Eating a healthy diet. I am an advo cate of eating unprocessed foods, ideally sourced from local farmers. Sugar and processed foods should be avoided and diets that promote

intense restriction (vegan, keto, very low calorie, etc.) should not be undertaken for long periods of time without supervision.

N Avoiding alcohol. Alcohol has very little to offer in terms of health ben efits and I can’t tell you how many times my perimenopausal women tell me that alcohol, especially red wine, creates or exacerbates their hormonal symptoms. Alcohol also is detrimental to sleep quality, which is another area where perimenopausal women struggle.

N Sleep. Establishing healthy sleep patterns can be tricky during perimenopause, but good sleep is es sential to maintain healthy hormone balance. Our sleep hygiene and stress hormones can often be detrimental to sleep quality, so those are areas that can be evaluated to improve insomnia.

N Decreasing stress. Like sleep, this is a tricky area! Women in their 40s are often being hit with stress from many sides. One thing we can do is control our response to stress. Find ing ways to respond to stress that help us maintain our calm can make a huge impact on our perimeno pausal symptoms.

N Avoiding hormone disruptors. Did you know that the world is full of

synthetic substances that contribute to hormone imbalance? Avoid ing: fragrances in air fresheners, perfumes, detergents and every where else they are found (even in trash bags!); the many chemicals in plastics; triclosan in antibacterial products; lead; and many of the chemicals in hormone-disrupting personal care products and cosmet ics can contribute to better natural hormone balance.

N Herbal medicine. Herbs can work with our body’s natural affinity to achieve proper hormone balance. Some of my favorite herbs to use during perimenopause are maca, chaste tree berry, black cohosh, ash wagandha, rhodiola, dong quai and wild yam. However, if my patient is eating a poor diet and has poor lifestyle habits, the herbs have less chance to work at their best.

N Hormone replacement therapy. Oc casionally, I do have perimenopausal patients who benefit most from hor mone replacement therapy. Howev er, this is not my go-to because it can cover up symptoms like a Band-Aid rather than addressing them at their root cause. And, again, without good lifestyle and diet, hormone replace ment doesn’t work as well.

the same experience in their homes and that it is normal. By putting the program in the schools, we are teach ing kids at an early age that certain areas on their bodies should not be touched, that this is not a good thing and that what’s happening to them is not ok.”

The Babbs were made aware of the horrific realities many children face when they met their Flagstaff neighbors Sara O’Meara and Yvonne Fedderson, Hollywood actresses, USO (United Service Organizations) entertainers and Childhelp founders.

“When I first found out about Childhelp, it just broke my heart,” said Jill. “When you talk to the ladies one on one, you hear stories that go way beyond what you can read about in details and everything. And, I thought, ‘I have to do something because I had such a wonderful child hood. I have to give back.’”

Jill started the Childhelp Flagstaff Chapter nearly 20 years ago and has been leading the charge to create a Childhelp Advocacy Center here as well. In conversations with FUSD, she received the verbal support she needed this year for Speak Up Be Safe to be taught in kindergarten through sixth grade classrooms, but she would have to find the $15,000 needed to run the program. She did. A friend contributed $10,000 and Jill, after receiving an inheritance from her

father, believed that this is where he would like to see her use the money. She donated the remaining $5,000. As a result, she is hopeful Speak Up Be Safe will be in the Flagstaff Public Schools in the New Year. “We also hope to incorporate it into charter schools,” she said.

SARA AND YVONNE’S STORY

Actresses Yvonne Fedderson and Sara O’Meara first met on the televi sion set of “The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet,” where they were work ing in the 1950s. “Yvonne and I kept running into each other and then

ended up rooming together in an apartment and also we were Sunday school teachers at the same church,” said Sara. “And then we were chosen to go on this trip that changed our lives forever.”

That trip was overseas to Southeast Asia. The two were chosen out of hundreds of applicants to entertain U.S. troops through the USO. “The soldiers were wonderful. They were so respectful and so nice,” said Sara. “The general who met with us after we were chosen said, ‘Now girls, I want you to know the reason we’ve chosen you is not because you’re such

great actresses or because you’re so beautiful, but it’s because you’re the girl-next-door type. We want them [the soldiers] to know what American girls are really like, waiting for them to get back home.’”

ELEVEN ORPHANS

Finding themselves holed up for days in their Tokyo hotel room during a typhoon in 1959, the women decided to venture into town. “We were not supposed to go out, but Yvonne and I were so bored, so we decided to sneak out through the basement steps.”

The young women came across

11 children, ages 2 to 10, huddled together. “They were hugging under a fallen awning and their knuckles were cracked and bleeding form the cold. They didn’t have shoes and they tried to get under our big coats because we had great big camel hair coats. We tried to ask them where they belonged,” said Sara.

“Where’s your mamasan, where’s your papasan? That’s about as much as we could say,” said Yvonne. “And, they kept saying, ‘No mamsans, no papasans.’ And we thought, ‘Why are they here? Something must have

Yvonne Fedderson and Sara O’Meara saved thousands of American/Vietnamese babies and children through Operation Baby Lift when U.S. troops were evacuated from Vietnam in 1975. Courtesy photo

Jill Babb, Sara O’Meara, Yvonne Fedderson and Bill Babb share success stories at Childhelp galas like this one in Phoenix. Courtesy photo

happened to their parents.’”

“So we snuck up back to our hotel room through those basement steps and gave them a hot bath and fed them,” continued Sara. “A colonel was assigned to us to travel to Korea, Okanagan and Japan and we told him we had these children in our room. And he had a fit.”

The colonel gave the women a list of orphanages, but the facilities were already overcrowded because the typhoon had left many children without parents. “They had to make room for those children and they turned out half-American/half-Japa nese children, which these ended up being,” said Sara. “We didn’t know they were known as ‘throwaways’ that nobody wanted. These were children without a country. They did not have a birth certificate.”

The women snuck them back to their hotel and started their pursuit

for a home for them again the next day. “Because we learned they were half-American/half-Japanese, it gave us the fortitude to reapproach the colonel and say, ‘We still have these children. These are our children. We’re not going to turn them out. You have to help us in some way.”

The colonel sent them to the direc tor of Tokyo Gospel Missions, who was also half- American/half-Jap anese. “He said, ‘Nobody has ever stopped to take care of these children, but I’m going to give you the name of a woman that will take them in, that has a hut.’”

Sara and Yvonne learned “Mama Kin,” was already caring for 10 chil dren. “We talked her into taking our 11, promising her we would take care of all 21 children if she would take them because we had a show to do that night and we had to leave them some place,” said Sara.

“We didn’t know what we were going to do with them,” said Yvonne.

“Mama Kin turned out to be the most fabulous, wonderful Christian woman,” said Sara. “We stopped the show that night and we said, ‘Some of these children might be yours and you have to help us. And we’re going to pass the hat. And we need you to come with lumber and build on the front door and window panes and expand this little two-room hut. And they showed up en masse the next day with stolen army blankets and lumber and doors and windows.”

“They were fabulous,” added Yvonne.

Word spread and more orphans showed up at Mama Kin’s door. “We had over 100 children entrusted in our care before we ever came back home and that’s when we began International Orphans Incorporated,”

REAL ESTATE TIP OF THE MONTH WITH GARY NELSON

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Yvonne Fedderson and Sara O’Meara were Hollywood actresses who were selected for USO tours to entertain the troops overseas. Courtesy photo Continued on

said Sara.

“We got our friends together to help to fundraise so that we could raise the money to build more build ings for the children,” said Yvonne. When the women returned to Tokyo, they built four new orphanages.

During the ‘60s, Sara and Yvonne were honored by Congress for what they had done in Japan. At the same time, they were asked to go to Viet nam and work with the Third Marine Amphibious Force to build orphan ages, like they had done in Japan for the half-American children. “So we did go into Vietnam. We built five orphanages, a hospital and a school,” said Sara.

OPERATION BABY LIFT

But in 1975, they received what they felt was a death notice for the chil dren. General Lewis William Walt, who worked with them and had been

a frequent guest at their fundraising events in the U.S., took the women aside at one of their galas and said, ‘Ladies, don’t send any more money over. The President’s going to say any day for me to pull out our troops and the money will land in the Vietcong’s hands. And the children probably will be killed,’” said Sara. “We called the next day and said, ‘You have asked us to go in and save these children and now they’re all going to be slaugh tered. You have to help us get air planes in there to get these children out.’ And that was the beginning of Operation Baby Lift.”

Seats were removed from the planes to make room for boxes to carry some of the children who were just infants. The women brought thousands and thousands of children to the United States, despite the tragic crash of the very first Operation Baby Lift plane that took off from Vietnam.

“Speaking so well of the Americans who opened their hearts, every single child was adopted by the time they reached our soil,” said Sara.

“Hundreds of volunteers were helping us take the babies from the planes,” said Yvonne. “It was so emo tional. It was really, I think, the most emotional thing that we ever went through. But it was very exciting to have these children here and safe and then to be adopted.”

Operation Baby Lift ignited a movement of compassion across the U.S. The ladies were asked to speak at events. At one such event in Los Angeles, they share the stage with the new California governor, Gover nor Ronald Reagan and his wife, Nancy. Nancy stopped the women as they were going to their seats and said, “‘You’re just the two to do it,’” recalled Sara. “And we said, ‘Do what?’ and she said, ‘Child abuse in

this country. The laws are protecting the perpetrator, not the child. You must do something about it and you two are the ones who can because you have dealt with an unpopular war and have succeeded. You have dealt with unpopular issues and succeeded. And this is a very unpopular issue and we would like for you to begin the main thrust of letting people know what’s happening to the children right here in our country.’ And we thought she was crazy because nobody had any idea about child abuse.”

The women said they would have to do a feasibility study before taking on such a campaign. “Nancy looked at Ronny and she said, ‘I think they can get that money, don’t you, Ron ny?’ And she winked. And the next day she had a check delivered from them for us to start a feasibility study. We had a lot of research to do before we went to Washington D.C. to help

change the laws, which, we were successful.”

That effort became Childhelp. The Reagans continued to support the nonprofit organization from that point on.

Sara and Yvonne created a tele vision special, “A Time for Love,” which raised awareness and more funds and demonstrated ways to re habilitate abused children. They built the first residential treatment facility for abused children in California 45 years ago.

Today, Childhelp has A Children’s Village U.S.A. in California and Virginia and A Childhelp Children’s Center in Tennessee. Sara and Yvonne say the need continues as child abuse increased during the pan demic. Calls to the Childhelp hotline rose by 43%. That hotline number is 1-800-4-A-CHILD or 1-800-4224453.

Office Space, Computer, Conference Room on the Go

By V. Ronnie Tierney, FBN

Businesses in, around and traveling through Camp Verde now have access to a resource center that offers space for small to large meetings, a classroom with Zoom capabilities, and private offices with WiFi and com puters, all at no charge. The only request is that guests call to reserve the space.

The Business Resource and Innovation Center (BRIC) is sponsored by the Town of Camp Verde Economic Develop ment Center.

“We held an open house and it was a great success,” said Camp Verde Economic Development Specialist Crisi Clark of the facility’s summer opening. “Several local businesses and our partners were in attendance. So far, our meeting rooms have been used by NACOG [Northern Arizona Council of Governments], SBDC [Small Business Devel opment Center], Yavapai College, SRP [Salt River Project], Camp Verde School District and more.”

Clark will be overseeing BRIC along with Town of Camp Verde Economic Development Specialist Sean Brooks.

“Our classroom seats 22 people and has been used to hold meetings for Kiwanis, local cattle ranchers, The Nature Conservancy, job interviews and to provide testing for the Copper Canyon Fire Department,” said Brooks.

BRIC programs are offered around the nation and are designed to accelerate business growth and support an array of business support services. To schedule a classroom or meeting space at the Camp Verde facility, call 928-554-0009 or mail a request to: Business Resource & Innovation Cen ter, 385 S. Main Street, Camp Verde, AZ 86322. FBN

By Terry Baker

Sean Brooks and Crisi Clark, economic development specialists for the Town of Camp Verde, oversee the new BRIC.

Photo by V. Ronnie Tierney, Fresh Focuses Photography

Realtor Lisa Paffrath Recognized for Helping Fire, Flood Victims

Flagstaff Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Grand

View North Broker/Owner

Lisa Paffrath has been recognized by The Residential Specialist magazine for her community service when helping the Flagstaff community after it was se verely impacted by wildfire and floods.

The June Pipeline Fire burned more than 45,000 acres of land and 33 homes and structures. As an active volunteer in the real estate communi ty, Paffrath immediately reached out to all her contacts to see what services could be provided to those in need.

“In the 20 years I have lived here, this was the first time seeing the loss of homes from a forest fire,” said Paffrath. “I was aware of the relief funds available to our [real estate] community through the REALTOR Relief Foundation, advised our local REALTOR association, and provided materials and resources to put in for these funds, which the association was successful in obtaining.”

Paffrath also filled sandbags to pro tect residents’ homes and started a lo cal fundraiser to assist Flagstaff’s local Humane Society volunteers who had taken in animals displaced by the fires.

In less than two days, the fundraiser garnered $1,800 in donations, which she matched. The support she received from her past clients and associates was instantaneous.

In addition, she reached out to her state realtors association to add wild firerisk.org to the Buyer’s Advisory and Seller’s Disclosure to prepare future residents of the potential risks associated with living in Flagstaff.

“This event made us realize that we’re not invincible up here,” said Paf frath. “We know any natural disaster is destructive, but when you actually see it happen in your backyard, it makes you realize that you really can’t take for granted what we have here. And it really makes me want to do more.”

Paffrath is a Certified Residential Specialist, which is the highest creden tial awarded to residential real estate agents, mangers and brokers who are among the best agents in the industry and also pillars in their communities. This year, The Residential Specialist magazine recognized Paffrath as 2022’s Certified Resident Specialist Designee Winner for going above and beyond to help her community. FBN

Estate Manage personal affairs while you're alive and control the distribution of wealth upon your death.

Insurance A well-structured insurance strategy can help protect your loved ones from the financial consequences of unexpected events.

Investment Create an investment strat egy that’s designed to pursue your risk tolerance, time horizon, and goals.

Lifestyle How to strike a balance between work and leisure is just one aspect of the wide-ranging Lifestyle matters.

Money Managing your money involves more than simply making and following a budget.

Retirement Steps to consider so you can potentially accumulate the money you'll need to pursue the retirement activities you want.

Tax Understanding tax strategies can potentially help you better manage your overall tax situation.

Habla Español

In Phoenix, the Childhelp founders will host a gala on Saturday, Feb. 18, as fundraising event to help children around the world. Information can be found at Childhelp.org

In June, Jill and the Childhelp Flagstaff Chapter will resume its live annual fundraiser, “25 Men Who Think They Can Cook,” which had more than 650 attendees at its pre-pandemic event. Orga nizers hope to continue to raise money for a Childhelp Advocacy Center.

“You cannot dispute that we all need to raise funds to help children,” said Jill, a member of the Childhelp National Board of Di rectors. “They are the future of our world and when they are damaged and hurt, they just carry that with them until we can help them. Help ing kids through programs like Speak Up Be Safe is going to make for a better generation.”

FBN

To see and hear Bonnie Stevens’ full interview with Sara O’Meara, Yvonne Fedderson and Jill Babb, go to Zonie Living at StarWorldwideNetworks.com

Lisa Paffrath filled sandbags and raised money for Flagstaff families. Courtesy photo

Carolyn and Gene’s children, Patrick Shoemaker and Christine Abanto, were part of the NightVisions planning team. “They were always going out in the field together and working on things together, whether it was looking for comets and asteroids at Palomar or geologic field work in search of craters in Australia, signatures of impacts. They really got around the Outback,” said Patrick about his mom and dad.

“Our parents were always close – she was not the wife who stayed at home – and they’d take us along on their adventures. I remember being out there camping with my parents before I

was old enough to remember much of anything.”

“For bringing international attention to Flagstaff’s rare dark skies, appreci ation to the legendary work of a local astronomical hero and focusing signifi cant resources toward the NightVisions effort, the Flagstaff Dark Skies Coali tion recognizes Creative Flagstaff as a Dark Skies Champion,” said Coalition President Chris Luginbuhl. “We are grateful for the hard work of Jonathan Stone, Julie Comnick and their team, and CCA’s continuous support of the Coalition, bringing awareness to Flag staff’s glorious dark skies.” FBN

Left: NightVisons guests could read about Carolyn Shoemaker’s discoveries. Right: This art piece that hung from the CCA ceiling represented the fragmented Shoemaker-Levy comet. Courtesy photos

Founding Pastor Bob Norton started the police department’s chaplaincy program, developed to serve employ ees as well as other law enforcement agencies and the Flagstaff commu nity. Some of the duties include assisting with death notices, respond ing to major disasters as a liaison with relief agencies, visiting sick or injured personnel at home or in the hospital and providing Critical Incident Stress Management.

Chaplains also provide immediate confidential, personal and family counseling within the framework of non-denominational spiritual guid ance to any law enforcement office, firefighter or their families.

Along with Bradford, Chaplain Todd Lindquist and Chaplain Stan Syfert are joining the program.

“Chaplain Nathaniel’s strong personal faith has been cultivated through real life experiences. Cou pled with his winsome personality, this makes him a strong asset to the Flagstaff Police Department,” said Lindquist.

“He is very gregarious and outgo ing, and has the perfect personality for the job,” said Syfert.

Bradford and his wife, Cindy, have been married for 41 years. They moved to Flagstaff in 2011. “I was operations manager for Ce mex, a leading supplier of concrete and building materials and was not

serving as a pastor at the time,” said Bradford. “My employees worked hard and many times would come and pour their hearts out to me. I was their boss and manager and I cared for them.”

Cindy says her husband loves the work of ministry and is excited about joining the Flagstaff PD team.

“We respect those on the front lines serving our country; this is one way of giving back to them.”

MY MENTOR

My mentor was my stepfather, who passed away several years ago. He taught me all about hard work and going the extra mile.

MY WISH FOR THE WORLD

My holiday wishes for the world would be salvation of all nations and God’s continued protection of His Covenant people, Israel.

FAVORITE QUOTE

“Be not overcome by evil, but over come evil with good.” Romans 12:21

FANTASY CAREER

I would be a storm chaser.

THE ACTOR WHO WOULD PLAY ME

When they make a movie about me, I would like to have Denzel Washing ton play me. FBN

Flowers from students and associates have been left at the entrance to the School of Forestry. Courtesy photo

true in every subsequent interaction I had with her,” continued Luis Cruz Rivera in his letter about Kim, “and it is an impression that will now forever be cemented in my heart as I reflect on the many people from inside and outside our university community who have contributed in one way or another to the efforts to search for her and her husband, and who today are striving to help their children in these most devastating circumstances.”

The couple has two teenage daughters. FBN

FBN Editor Bonnie Stevens interviewed Yeon-Su Kim on several occasions. “Yeon-Su was involved in community forestry work in Thailand. I found her to be brilliant, so kind and caring, and refreshingly bubbly. She was a bright light.”

Henry, who have made the holidays incredibly special with two decades of the Great Pinecone Drop tradition.” Henry and Sam started the free Great Pinecone Drop on Dec. 31, 1999, to honor the Weatherford Hotel’s 100th anniversary of opening its doors as a hotel on New Year’s Day, Jan. 1, 1900. For 20 years, thousands have gathered in the streets on New Year’s Eve to sing carols and other favorite songs and cheer as the Great Pine cone was lowered. It was offered as a virtual event in 2020 and canceled in 2021 because of the national surge in COVID-19 cases.

The VIP Golden Ticket Event is the Weatherford’s premier New Year’s Eve party, served with food, music, a midnight champagne toast, and access to the Zane Grey Ballroom and wraparound balconies offering a close-up view of the evening’s program and Great Pinecone Drop. Reservations are required for the 21+ only VIP Golden Ticket Event and may be secured at https://weatherfordhotel.com/ events/2023-vip-golden-ticket-newyears-eve-in-zane-grey-21-event/.

New Year’s Eve overnight guest packages (for ages 21+ only) also are available for the 17 restored hotel rooms. For more information, visit WeatherfordHotel.com or contact Kim Ward at 928-7791919, ext. 430. FBN

USDA approved facility for receiving sport hunted trophies from around the world. This also includes all deer, and turkey from Mexico.

Trophy Room Design- We can assist you in designing a trophy room display to complement your collection. We can assist with lighting, layout, murals, and dioramas. Custom pedestal and base work available.

Crating and Shipping- We crate and ship around the world, and have discounts with many major trucking companies.

Rush Orders- Rush orders are available on request for an additional fee.

Stock Taxidermy- We have an assortment of legal capes, antlers, and horns that can

121 E. Birch Avenue, Suite 408 Flagstaff, AZ 86001 Phone 602-909-3910 Fax 928.226.0303 Email: troy@flagstaffbusinessnews.com www.flagstaffbusinessnews.com

Founder:

Flagstaff Business News is a publication of Flagstaff Business News, LLC and is distributed free each month to residents of Flagstaff, Sedona, Williams and Winslow. Reproduction of any portion of the publication is strictly prohibited without expressed permission. The publisher reserves the right to refuse any advertisements submitted to the newspaper and is not responsible for the claims of its advertisers.

PINECONE

But it’s the young chef’s innovation that shines through in his culinary cre ations. “Sedona attracts people who are wellness-minded,” said the chef, who oversees conference and meeting cater ing. “We get lots of requests for vegan. Some of the favorites we’ve tested on the banquet menu have now made it to the restaurant menu.”

The Zagat award-winning chef sources seasonal ingredients for the higher-end New American cuisine found on the new Willows Kitchen + Wine Bar menu. For instance, the chef brought his penchant for seafood to light with mussels in the brilliant Thai chili coconut soup. The soup’s

multi-layered flavoring, so renowned in Thai cooking, was balanced with a pinch of brown sugar. The chef and sommelier paired the spicy soup served in an artisan ceramic bowl with a Sinegal sauvignon blanc from Napa.

Sommelier Nikki Stevenson, a native Arizonan, joined the Poco Diablo team after working in California and Nevada.

The team emphasizes a commitment to exemplary customer experiences.

“We have several families who have three generations employed here since the ‘70s when Poco Diablo first opened,” said Sales and Marketing Director David Folkeson.

In course two, Chef Evan, who re

ceived his formal training at Le Cordon Bleu, showcased his vegan crabcake created from chickpea and mashed artichoke hearts.

Lobster risotto served with a French white wine preceded the braised duck breast paired with a Monpiano Italian red. Sides included apple bacon, Brus sels sprouts and potato hash. Melt-inyour-mouth Hoison Orange Braised Short Ribs were presented with bok choy and sesame cheddar grits.

Chef Evan is no stranger to grits. He spent many months in New Orleans, where he cooked in various kitchens to learn the concepts of the unique Cajun and Creole cuisines. As a result, he’ll be bringing shrimp and grits with gumbo gravy to the breakfast menu in the future. “It’s the perfect remedy for a hangover for those who know,” said Lori Tucker, president of the public relations company that represents Poco Diablo Resorts.

The finale of the chef-tasting dinner was a flourless torte with Italian meringue and raspberries. The Amaro Montenegro brought out with the dessert not only aided digestion, but also helped extend dinner conversa tions. FBN

For more information about Willows Kitchen + Wine Bar in Sedona, visit www. willowskitchensedona.com.

TIGERS continued from page 8

“We moved to Ft. McDowell in 1988 and started Out of Africa on a shoestring. We ran out of room and moved to Camp Verde and opened in 2005. We started with 100 acres and again needed more room so we pur chased another 100 acres so the animals have plenty of space and a wonderful view. We just love it here and the climate is perfect,” said Prayeri.

With their home in the middle of the park, the Harrisons enjoy a bird’s eye view from their veranda. “It’s like being in Africa,” said Prayeri. “We can spot the zebras in the morning and see the rhino playing with his toys.”

Along with Equinox and Exodus, Out of Africa Wildlife Park is home to many African animals, including Bart, a two-toed sloth and Enoch, a black leopard.

“Not only is Out of Africa Wildlife Park one of our most fun businesses in Camp Verde, it is also the first major visitor attraction to make a significant investment here,” said Town of Camp Verde Economic Development Director Steve Ayers. “For that reason alone, we will always owe a debt of gratitude to Dean and Prayeri for choosing Camp Verde as their forever home. Happy Birthday to Equinox and Exodus!” FBN

Out of Africa Wildlife Park is located at 3505 W. SR-260 in Camp Verde. They are only 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., daily. For more information, visit www.outofafricapark.com or call 928-567-2840.

continued from page 31

Of course, there are many other modalities for hormone balance and healing and if you have found a healing modality that works for you, that’s great! If you’re a perimenopausal woman who is struggling with hormone balance, I’m here for you. Just be ready to make some changes and give me a call! FBN

Amber Belt, N.D. is a naturopathic physician and co-owner of Aspen Integrative Medical Center where she helps patients get healthy from the inside out. She is also co-owner of Sage Sirona, which focuses on natural first aid and education. Dr. Belt has been practicing naturopathic medicine for more than 15 years and can be contacted via aspenmedcenter.com or sagesirona.com. You can also call her office at 928-213-5828.

Meetings here

The trendy Willows Kitchen is part of Poco Diablo’s $22 million renovation project.

Photo by Stacey Wittig

WILLOWS

PERIMENOPAUSE