The Lumberjack -- March 9, 2023

Northern Arizona University’s student voice since 1914

Small-town tourism in Flagstaff

MCKAYLA HOLDER

The city of Flagstaff has been the place to go when Phoenix locals want to escape the heat of the valley, experience snowfall and spend the day at Arizona Snowbowl. Downtown Flagstaff is where most tourists go to visit old-town shops and top-rated restaurants like Lumberyard Brewing Company, Earthbound Trading Company and Collins Irish Pub and Grill.

Katelyn Kowitz, a sophomore at Coconino Community College, said her favorite place downtown is Bright Side Bookshop.

“It’s right on San Francisco Street, and I remember the first time I went there, I bought a book and sat on a bench right outside the shop just reading for hours,” Kowitz said.

Flagstaff Visitor Center, located on East Route 66, is where tourists can find things to do, places to go and historical information while they visit. Flagstaff is also known as a Dark Sky City, meaning the city works to prevent unnecessary light pollution to preserve the natural view of the night sky. This also means the city is a perfect place to stargaze, which tourists can do at Lowell Observatory

Southside Historic District is where many breweries, restaurants and shops are located in restored buildings from the 1890s. Tourists experience this district through self-guided walking tours, segway tours and haunted history tours.

“Downtown is usually busiest during the winter months,” Kowitz said. “I actually try to steer clear of downtown in the winter because I find it a little bit frustrating navigating my way with all the tourists.”

One of many popular places downtown

is a top-rated family-owned business burger place called Mama Burger. The burger joint has won the Arizona Daily Sun “Best of Flag” in the burger category in 2019, 2020 and 2022. It is the only location but is temporarily closed due to renovations.

Mia Smith, a Flagstaff resident and NAU alumna, used to work at Mama Burger.

“Customers would come in from out of town, usually from Phoenix, but some from out of state or even the country,” Smith said. “They would say how they either heard through word of mouth that Mama Burger was one of the best burger places in town, or they saw it on a website as being one of the best burger spots in Flagstaff. Tourists brought in a lot of business and really put the place on the map.”

Another popular place downtown among tourists and local college students is Collins Irish Pub and Grill. According to Collins’ website it was named one of Arizona’s best pubs. The pub serves as a sports-oriented bar serving Irish and American comfort food by day and is a nightclub by evening.

Jenna Jablonsky, a Collins employee, spoke about how tourism affects the pub.

“Tourism is a big part of downtown Flagstaff in general, and a large portion of our business is from tourists, especially during the winter months,” Jablonsky said. “Collins is the type of place that attracts everybody.”

Jablonsky said tourism doesn’t impact the difficulty of her job, but she knows when to prepare for busy days depending on the time of the year.

See TOURISM on PAGE 9

Did Route 66 lose its kicks?

EMILY REHLING

Route 66 is perhaps the most famous highway in American history. The road, one of the original highways in the United States, has been embedded in pop culture history. Hasn’t everyone heard “(Get Your Kicks on) Route 66,” or watched the 2006 movie “Cars,” the setting of which drew its inspiration from small towns scattered along Route 66?

After the completion of Interstate 40 in 1984, Route 66 was decommissioned. Business had been declining since the bypass began construction in the 1960s, according to a 1968 report from the Arizona Daily Sun

“When you divert the bulk of motorists using the major U.S. East-West Highway Route 66 artery from the heart of the city to an Interstate 40 ‘Super Highway’ bypass there is bound to be an impact on business in the town,” the report said. “East side motels are reporting a deep drop off in registrations due to the shifting of traffic from Route 66 to the new I-40 bypass.”

Flagstaff is a lot like the fictional Radiator Springs of “Cars” fame, albeit slightly larger. Route 66 crosses directly through the city, but just like in “Cars,” it’s now a dusty thoroughfare that gets drivers from one side of Flagstaff to the other. Driving along the famed road, you can see how some of the neon signs on decrepit

motels once glittered, how the mountains and red rocks once were a beautiful picture of natural wonder for travelers. Tourism was once booming, but not anymore.

Today, businesses on Route 66 are underwhelming. Fast food chains, auto shops and motels make up most of the attractions. But a few gems remain, like the Museum Club or Miz Zip’s — some of the only relics of the route that held onto their history. Other sites to see include an empty lot to your left, three half-demolished buildings to your right and about five or six condemned motels every time you turn your head.

Route 66 is now home to all of the things travelers and locals alike would rather not see, while downtown Flagstaff receives the bulk of tourism, engagement and attention. Isn’t it time to bring the past back to life?

In Miami, Oklahoma, a young entrepreneur named Eli Chenowith has been taking advantage of the historic road’s nostalgia by incorporating it into his own shaved ice business. This is the direction Flagstaff should be moving toward; rather than making Route 66 into a graveyard of dying or unsightly, it should become a shining light of the city’s history.

Biff’s: more than just bagels

MARLEY GREEN

It would be difficult to find a student unfamiliar with the quaint bagel shop on the southwest corner of South Beaver Street and West Phoenix Avenue. Located in Flagstaff since 2000, Biff’s Bagels is a staple of the mountain town.

Married couple Turney and Keri Postlewait opened the business in Prescott in 1995 after finishing college.

“There was no bagel shop there, and so I started just baking bagels at my house for friends and family,” Turney Postlewait said. “I did that for about five years, kind of perfecting things, and then it morphed into a business.”

The Postlewaits said they knew Flagstaff would be a great market for bagels, and for three years, the couple managed both locations.

But there is more to Biff’s than bagels and coffee. The shop was founded on a love for northern Arizona and dogs. The Postlewaits named the company after their dog, Biff. Longtime Biff’s regulars remember when the walls were covered with photos of patron’s dogs.

Committed to love for animals, Biff’s works with local pet-related nonprofit organizations that are rotated monthly. Proceeds from their stickers available for purchase go to the month’s charity. In February, it was Yavapai Humane Society. One Christmas season, employees built dog

beds for the Coconino Humane Society. It is an essential among students for before school or ski breakfasts. For some, it is tradition to bring family members when they come to visit.

Freshmen discover Biff’s quickly, even if it is with the guidance or recommendation of older students. Anna Hamilton said her roommate’s sister dropped off bagels for them on the first day of classes in the fall semester.

“It’s my favorite Biff’s memory,” Hamilton said.

Since then, she has had time to tailor her perfect order: a toasted mish-mash bagel with onion and chive vegan cream cheese, cucumbers and avocado.

“This has always been my order because this was the first vegan breakfast I was able to get in Flagstaff,” Hamilton said. “It is so amazing.”

Biff’s Bagels’ employee Emily Quiroz said the clientele goes beyond students. In fact, there are no NAU students employed at Biff’s at the moment.

“Flagstaff is such a small town that people that you see in everyday life, everywhere, always come to Biff’s,” Quiroz said. “That person that you see at the laundromat all the time is at Biff’s, people that work at the grocery store that you go to are at Biff’s. It’s kind of crazy.”

See BAGELS on PAGE 30

The Hotel Monte Vista looms over downtown Flagstaff as its sign lights up the sky, Feb. 16. The Hotel Monte Vista has been a prominent landmark in Flagstaff since the 1920s. John Chaides | The Lumberjack

An unfinished building at the El Pueblo Motel sits behind a chain link fence on Route 66, Feb. 12. Megan Ford-Fyffe | The Lumberjack

Bagel options such as green chile cheddar and spicy mish-mash sit in baskets at the front counter display case of Biff’s Bagels in Southside Flagstaff, Feb. 15. Taylor McCormick | The Lumberjack

FROM THE EDITOR

In my final semester of college, the air is permeated by conversations about the end. The undergraduate experience is coming to a close for many of us, and with it, the end of scholastic ritual.

For as long as I can remember, I’ve thrived when it’s come to school. As a kid, I found comfort in the classroom. The smell of Ticonderoga erasers kept me grounded. Reading, writing and learning as much as I could about everything was what I loved most in the world.

Before I knew it, that love turned into infatuation.

I started to understand that doing well in school was overwhelmingly important to adults around me. The prospect of a big red A+ on an assignment was enough to motivate me to study for hours, because I knew I would receive academic validation. I had always done well in school by default, but when I took note of people’s reactions to my performance, I developed an innate feeling that my grades were directly attached to my self worth.

Prior to college, attributing my grades to my self worth worked for me. I was able to push myself at the expense of my own wellbeing.

During March of my sophomore year, my mom drove through a snow quarry to come get me from my dorm on campus.

I didn’t return for the rest of the semester.

HALLI SMITH ASSISTANT OPINION EDITOR

I was diagnosed with severe clinical depression. I couldn’t leave my bed. I had trouble eating, sleeping and showering. I felt my chest cave in. If I had an invisible illness that rendered me immobile somedays, how could I convey that to my professors? How could I live up to the imaginary high standards I had always set for myself academically?

The short answer?

I couldn’t.

Two years later, my depression still affects me greatly. The only difference between my sophomore year and my senior year in terms of my depression is how I now choose to approach conversations about mental health.

I don’t hide my mental illness anymore. When I got diagnosed, I felt like the only person on the planet that had experienced the grim symptoms of depression. But the more I expressed my feelings, the more receptive people were. I started to understand that my struggle, while uniquely my own, was also something I didn’t have to conceal.

I try to live openly in most capacities of my life. I believe that while Instagram infographics about mental health and ways to cope can be helpful, they’re merely a resource. The moments where I’ve felt the most supported are the moments where I express my feelings, openly and frequently.

If all the world’s a stage and life is the performance, none of it is rehearsed. The most invigorating and colorful performances aren’t calculated, they’re honest and real.

Thank you for reading!

Ihad gotten my very first laptop my sophomore year of high school. Ever since then, it has stayed within my grasp. Many late nights and early mornings have been spent scrolling, typing and clicking, racing to finish an assignment. From high school to college, my laptop has accumulated tons of documents from my years of education.

PDF, Word, Excel and Powerpoint files dominate my desktop. I have made one attempt to control the amount of documents I have collected over the years; it was not as successful as I had hoped — notifications appear on the top right corner of my screen indicating storage is nearly full.

Google Drive storage can do the trick. Obstacle averted.

I have deadlines I need to meet, articles to type, discussions to write, essays to finish, and critiques to expand on.

Type, type, type

I have been engulfed in academic and professional deadlines, so much so, my “a” has begun to stop working.

My “a’’ button chooses to give up, when I am on a writing streak, rushing to meet a story deadline, or when I simply want to login into my laptop.

I have learned to work around it and most times I am successful, but at times it doesn’t work out.

In my stressed and frustrated state, caused by putting in numerous hours toward assignments and stories, this is a gift.

I have logged countless hours on my laptop — the files recording my journey.

Each file containing a thought or idea I had chosen to execute.

A trip down memory lane occurs as I scroll through my files. One can see the progression in my writing and research.

Reminiscing about the times a particular assignment or class made me think it was the end of the world.

Only to think about how strong those times made me. It made me strong in my writing, my wisdom and my ability to enjoy the highs that come after a tough class or story.

Thank you for reading!

Counting down the days until commencement also means counting down the days left in the mountain town I have come to love. Since the start of my senior year, I keep counting my lasts in Flagstaff — the last time the aspens will be yellow, the last homecoming carnival, the last tequila sunrise, the last time the pinecone will drop more things that I will miss come and go too quickly.

I have become so nostalgic for this place I have been lucky to call home for the past four years. Watching the sunrise on the peaks as I walk to work in the morning, downtown farmers markets, getting stuck waiting for a train downtown, the wind nearly pushing me over as I walk and snow coming up to my knees.

The small things in Flagstaff give me comfort even in their annoyance. I am scared of what will come in the future without these constants. I fear the change to come yet I am excited for the future.

Moving from Oregon to Arizona almost four years ago was in short — terrifying. I was leaving the city that I had called home for 18 years and moving to a state where I didn’t really know anybody.

Seeing all of my friends back home go to local universities and still have their friends they knew from high school seemed to fall into life in college seamlessly. I was feeling I had made the wrong choice and was starting to feel nostalgic for the life and the friends I had before I moved.

LYDIA NELSON DIRECTOR OF DIGITAL CONTENT

Little did I know this time in Flagstaff has let me grow into a person I didn’t know I was. Sticking out the change pushed me to try new things, say yes more and step out of my comfort zone.

As I am getting ready to graduate from NAU and eventually move out of Flagstaff, I am starting to feel the same as I did when I was leaving my hometown. I am sad and scared to let it go but I am so excited for what I will do.

Changes like these will keep happening. I will move, I will grow, I will make new friends, I will get new jobs, I will find new people, I will find out more about myself. All these things will happen as long as I let them. Change will always scare me but the future will always seem more exciting.

Thank you for reading!

Can I paint a picture for you?

I sat down to write this brief piece of wisdom for the readers of The Lumberjack , confident it would be passed down through generations and hailed as a prime example of addressing the masses. The humble writings of an Arizona college senior will surely be considered almost holy by scholars and leaders alike someday, I thought.

Suddenly, I felt violently shaken. What is there to write about? Who am I to be the one to write it? What do I even know? What the hell am I doing with my life?

Apparently, not much.

Impostor’s Syndrome in my last year of college is a very real issue. Nobody prepared me for this final semester; all of the sudden, I’m looking for jobs and making plans to move. Unfortunately, I still feel like I’m 17 years old.

I don’t fully understand how taxes work. I cannot meal plan to save my life. I really enjoy playing games in my free time, and my storage is almost always full on my iPhone. I do not feel like an adult.

EMILY REHLING OPINION EDITOR

Thankfully, I know I am not alone in this feeling. Every other graduating senior I’ve spoken to about it is equally afraid, and my peers are some of the most capable, talented people I know. Their work is outstanding, and I feel like I’m talking to seasoned professionals when I work with them. None of them are going to struggle in the real world, I’m sure of it — so why would I?

There’s an undeniable pressure on graduating college seniors. It’s like the entire weight of the world is falling on your shoulders. But I’ve processed far too many emotions in these past few years — I know I’m a stronger, smarter and more thoughtful person than I was when I arrived in Flagstaff in 2019. Whatever the future holds, I know I’m prepared for it.

Thank you for reading!

SOCIAL MEDIA

OCTAVIA FREELAND

DIRECTOR OF MULTIMEDIA

FROM THE EXECUTIVE BOARD

Hello Lumberjacks!

This semester, The Lumberjack is fortunate enough to have the opportunity to print two special editions. Our first special issue of the semester is based around the concept of “It’s a small town” and is filled with local content. Well, the wait is over! We are proud to announce our first special edition is ready for you to enjoy.

The Lumberjack has been based in Flagstaff for more 100 years; although we are a universitybased newspaper, we would not be able to do quality work without the support of the community. Our goal with this issue is to highlight the unique corners of Flagstaff that make this town a unique, welcoming environment for all.

The LJ staff has been collecting stories and designing this issue for the past month. Within this issue you will find a higher quantity of content from each section along with bonus content from our visual departments.

You will find stories covering Route 66’s loss of popularity, local businesses owned by members of city council, a Humans of NAU on bartenders and servers, a story on local tattoo artists and more!

We sincerely hope you enjoy this love letter to our mountain town. Love,

READ

EXECUTIVE BOARD

Emily Gerdes, Editor-in-Chief

Hannah Elsmore, Managing Editor

Lydia Nelson, Director of Digital Content

Daisy Johnston, Copy Editor

Lian Muneno, Director of Print Design

Marley Green, Director of Marketing

EDITORIAL STAFF VISUALS

Taylor Schwartz-Olson, News Editor

Tess Bandstra, Assistant News Editor

Emily Rehling, Opinion Editor

Halli Smith, Assistant Opinion Editor

Brisa Karow, Features Editor

Zachary Markewicz, Assistant Features Editor

Jessie McCann, Culture Editor

Marian Hernandez, Assistant Culture Editor

Noah Butler, Sports Editor

Nathan Ecker, Assistant Sports Editor

CORRECTIONS AND CLARIFICATIONS

Megan Ford-Fyffe, Director of Photography

Taylor McCormick, Assistant Director of Photography

Ethon Peddle, Senior Photographer

John Chaides, Senior Photographer

Alexis Beaman, Director of Illustration

Octavia Freeland, Director of Multimedia

Jonah Graham, Assistant Director of Multimedia

Liam Combs, Assistant Director of Multimedia

Amirah Rogers, Director of Social Media

FACULTY ADVISERS

Bree Burkitt, Faculty Adviser

David Harpster, Reporter Advisor

Rory Faust, Sports Adviser

The Lumberjack is committed to factual correctness and accuracy. If you find an error in our publication, please email Emily Gerdes at eng66@nau.edu.

Northern Arizona University sits at the base of the San Francisco Peaks, on homelands sacred to Native Americans throughout the region. We honor their past, present and future generations, who have lived here for millennia and will forever call this place home.

Emily Gerdes Editor-in-Chief

Hannah Elsmore Managing Editor

Daisy Johnston Copy Editor

Lydia Nelson Director of Digital Content

Lian Muneno Director of Print Design

Marley Green Director of Marketing

“IT’S A SMALL TOWN”

View of NAU from Mars Hill Road at dusk, Feb. 12. Emily Gerdes | The Lumberjack

Flagstaff’s dark sky

county has strived to put the same guidelines in place to protect the night scenery.

“The city is where we see the most light pollution, obviously, so the ordinance taking place here is very important,” Hakala said. “Without it, we have no pull.”

Flagstaff was the first city in the United States to be classified as a Dark Sky City. Since 2001, this has played a part in tourists and students choosing to visit the city.

The Flagstaff national monuments which — include Sunset Crater, Walnut Canyon and Wupatki — had more than 300,000 visitors in 2021, doubling their last fiscal year.

All three parks are considered international dark sky parks under the International Dark Sky Association (IDA). According to a 2021 IDA report for the Flagstaff national monuments, there were no extra outreach programs due to COVID-19 restrictions.

The IDA named Flagstaff as the first Dark Sky City in the United States in October 2001. Since then, Janice Hakala, a dark sky specialist in Coconino County, said the

Kevin Schindler, public information officer and historian for Lowell Observatory, said living in a place that is artificially lit causes people to lose their connection to the universe.

Lowell Observatory is one of five observatories in Flagstaff that rely on the dark sky initiative for research and tourism. Schindler said there are currently 14 full-time astronomers looking into various areas of research in the solar system at Lowell.

Schindler said the dark sky program in place has helped the observatory in several areas including tourism.

The dark sky initiative has allowed the observatory to start building a planetarium outside rather than inside a dome where these structures normally are. The Astronomy Discovery Center is set to open in early winter of 2024.

Visitors will be able to sit outside and gain the same experience as an inside planetarium because of how clear Flagstaff’s night sky is. Seats will be heated so people can look at the sky year-round.

MAKAYLA O’BANNON

Top: Stars streak across the night sky over Sunset Crater Volcano as Flagstaff light pollution bleeds over the rim at the Sunset Crater National Monument, Feb. 15. Light pollution from Flagstaff is reduced greatly because of city ordinances. Bottom: A sign reads “International Dark Sky Park” at the entrance to Sunset Crater National Monument, Feb. 15. Flagstaff is the only Dark Sky City in the nation. John Chaides | The Lumberjack

vital to astrotourism

The observatory is right next to downtown Flagstaff, an area that would normally be heavily polluted with light. Due to unique laws in Flagstaff, however, astronomers are able to use their telescopes without light obstructing the view.

Schindler said bright city lights are similar to an LED light on a car.

“It’s like when a car drives by, and if you look in the headlights you can’t see much of anything,” Schindler said.

Since 1958, Flagstaff has been the pioneer in light ordinances to protect the night sky. Through the years, the city became stricter, creating more laws to keep the stars visible.

Schindler said when people first moved to Flagstaff in the late 1800s, it was nicknamed the “starlight city” because of the brilliance of the stars.

According to the City of Flagstaff website, the dark sky initiative has become an established element of community regional identity.

The dark sky initiative has fostered a community of astrotourism and research in the city with Lowell Observatory, U.S. Naval Observatory, U.S. Geological Survey Astrogeology Center and the Discovery Channel telescope being built because of Flagstaff’s promise to protect the night sky.

Jasmine Garani is an astronomy professor at NAU. Garani gives extra credit for going to the Lowell Observatory and doing other activities involving observing the stars at night that are possible because of the dark sky ordinance.

“Observing here is much better than observing somewhere like Phoenix,” Garani said. “I think the students get a better experience.”

Hakala said the astronomical industry built in Flagstaff is extremely important to the city. The ordinance and astrotourism work with each other. Like many others, Garani said she came to Flagstaff to see the stars at night, and the five observatories in Flagstaff help people do that.

Commercial and residential properties are affected by the codes set in place by the dark sky ordinance. Hakala is in charge of making sure everyone is following the ordinance and complying with proper lighting in the city.

Hakala said education is the most important part of maintaining the dark sky ordinance because if people do not know Flagstaff is an IDA Dark Sky City, they will not know to follow the guidelines in place.

A sign designating the entrance to the city of Flagstaff rests along the U.S. 89 highway, Feb. 15. Flagstaff is the only Dark Sky City in the nation where all outward-facing lights are required to be a certain color temperature due to light pollution interfering with astronomy equipment. John Chaides | The Lumberjack

COMPILED BY TAYLOR SCHWARTZ-OLSON

Jan. 17

At 7:01 a.m., an employee called to report damage to their vehicle at High Country Conference Center Garage. NAUPD responded and found the damage was from the weather.

Jan. 19

At 10:34 a.m., a student called to report an injury on the pedway path. The patient refused medical attention and a report was taken for personal injury. At 10:18 p.m., a non-student at Lot 44 called to report a hit-and-run accident. An officer responded and took a report.

Jan. 20

At 1:26 p.m., The Suites staff called to report people throwing ice at vehicles. NAUPD responded and negative contact was made. At 8:06 p.m., a student at Lot 62 called to report someone hit a vehicle and fled the scene. An officer responded and took a report.

Jan. 21

At 2 a.m., a student reported a disturbance at Hilltop Townhomes. The Flagstaff Fire Department (FFD), Guardian Medical Transport (GMT) and NAUPD responded. One student was deferred for assault, disorderly conduct and minor in consumption of alcohol. A second student was deferred for minor in consumption of alcohol. At 10:33 p.m., a student called to report another student had been hurt while sledding at Gabaldon Field. The student was transported to Flagstaff Medical Center (FMC) by ambulance.

Jan. 23

At 11:57 a.m., NAU employees reported an NAUowned, heavy equipment vehicle damaged a parked car. NAUPD responded and took a report. At 8:41 a.m., an employee called to report a gas smell at the I-17 exit ramp. NAUPD responded and no odor was present. At 10:43 a.m., an officer reported a student had slipped on ice at Lot 62. NAUPD responded and a report was taken.

Jan. 27

At 1:09 p.m., a Gammage Building employee called to report a trespass. NAUPD responded and one student was booked into Coconino County Detention Facility.

Jan. 29

At 2:21 a.m., a student at Drury Inn & Suites called to request assistance for a student with an injury. The student was transported to FMC by ambulance and deferred for underage consumption of alcohol. At 12:18 p.m., a student at Wilson Hall called to report theft. NAUPD responded and took a report. At 9:20 p.m., Drury Inn & Suites staff reported non-student trespassing. The subject was arrested and booked into Coconino County Detention Facility on an outstanding warrant.

Jan. 30

At 2:12 p.m., a student reported a student fell on ice near the San Francisco Parking Garage. FFD, GMT and NAUPD responded, and the subject was transported to FMC.

Feb. 1

At 12:10 a.m., a non-student requested a welfare check on a non-student near the High Country Conference Center. The subject was arrested and booked into Coconino County Detention Facility for possessing dangerous drugs and drug paraphernalia, and for an outstanding warrant. At 8:32 p.m., a staff member called to report smoke from exposed wires at the Science Lab Facility. FFD and NAUPD responded and a work order was issued.

Feb. 2

At 11:38 p.m., an officer initiated a traffic stop on Route 66 and one non-student was cited for and released for DUI to the slightest degree and DUI over .08.

Feb. 4

At 11:54 p.m., University Safety Aides reported a vehicle driving erratically near South Beaver Street and East University Drive. An officer responded and one student was issued a warning about driving behavior.

Feb. 5

At 7:41 a.m., an anonymous report was received by NAUPD about a sexual assault involving two students at the Honors College. According to the report, the incident occurred or started during the fall 2022 semester.

Feb. 7

At 2:51 a.m., a student called to report a person yelling and acting erratically near Lot 31. NAUPD officers responded and one student was booked into Coconino County Sherrif’s Office Jail for aggravated assault on a detention officer, disorderly conduct, resisting arrest and failure to provide their name.

New ordinance to regulate short-term housing

own a short-term rental, Coconino County would require rental operators to pay a $250 annual permit, have a $500,000 liability insurance policy and notify neighbors of the property.

BRAYDEN HOFFMAN

Ameeting was held with the Coconino County Board of Supervisors on Jan. 24 to discuss new regulations for vacation rentals. New ordinances were introduced to try and dissuade public misuse of these properties.

Doug Ducey signed Senate Bill 1168 in 2022, which gave power to local governments to set regulations for shortterm rentals, otherwise known as vacation rentals. Coconino County is making efforts in local government to regulate these properties, which would let the government have small oversight over some of these issues.

District Three supervisor Matt Ryan has been working on implementing regulation for short-term housing for several years. Such regulations would impact cities with high rates of tourism like Sedona and Flagstaff.

“This is the result of our communicating with the legislature to express our concerns about not having regulatory authority over short-term rentals,” Ryan said. “Albeit limited, we now have a very important tool that will promote voluntary compliance and encourage people to be good neighbors.”

Supervisor Chair Patrice Horstman recognized the community has made complaints when vacation rentals in residential areas are misused, and when short-term rental operators neglect to stay up to date with the property.

Horstman said short-term rentals benefit people in cities that see high amounts of tourism, but said she wants to seize the short window of opportunity for Coconino County to implement new regulations.

“With the governments’ hands tied, there would occasionally be abuses with these short-term rentals,” Horstman said. “I know myself and other members of the board have received complaints about vacation rentals being turned into party homes with absentee landlords. And this has resulted in neighborhoods having traffic concerns, parking issues and litter, and it has become an issue that needs to be addressed.”

As laid out in the meeting, regulations for those renting out property would include meeting certain requirements and paying for permits. While there is no license needed to

Jay Christelman, director of the Community Development Department, outlined proposals for new legislation and said it should be necessary to notify all neighbors of the vacation rental. Christelman said neighbors of vacation rentals include houses directly adjacent to it, directly across and directly diagonal.

This was the first time the board met publicly to discuss possible action regarding short-term rental ordinances. One of the actions discussed was to require rental operators to provide a transaction privilege tax license number for their property. This tax works like normal sales tax for licensed businesses, and it would allow for more tax dollars being paid from these vacation rentals.

“The intent is the recognition of if it’s being treated as business,” Christleman said. “It was a request that we saw throughout our communities that there were impacts coming in, and from the lodging community second equity in taxation.”

New ordinances would also prohibit the use of rental properties for special events such as retail, restaurants and banquet spaces, as these events would normally require permits. According to the ordinance, vacation rental operators would see more financial penalties for violations.

Coconino County would reserve the right to suspend or issue fines to short-term rental operators if they were found violating certain offenses laid out in state statute.

These violations would have to go through a hearing process, where the county hearing officer would oversee an investigation into the citation and issue penalties.

The first violation in a 12-month period would be a $500 fine, the second is a $1,500 fine and a third violation would result in a $3,500 fine. After the fourth violation, the short-term rental permit would be up for revocation or suspension.

“In essence it’s providing a basis for people to be good neighbors with each other,” Horstman said. “People have spent their whole life in these neighborhoods, and they have children that play in the neighborhoods. It’s just a way to make the communities safe and secure.”

There was a hearing scheduled Feb. 28 with time on the agenda for public comment to discuss these issues further. The public can read the full extent of the proposed ordinance on the Coconino County website.

New ordinance causes less freedom and more restrictions for operators of vacation rentals

NAU expansion impacts Flagstaff community

TESS

The expansion of NAU over time has put pressure on the housing economy while continuing to encourage tourism in Flagstaff. Fall 2022 enrollment for Flagstaff mountain campus reached 21,411 total students.

Many Flagstaff locals see the growth of NAU as having a positive impact on the economy as well as sustainability efforts, contributing projects such as the NAU community garden. Others see this as a negative impact, claiming expansion worsens traffic congestion, water pollution and housing opportunities while losing the small town feel.

Adam Shimoni, who served as the vice mayor from 2018-2020 and city council member from 2020-2022, said he supports the expansion of NAU but recognizes flaws in the housing situation across Flagstaff as well.

“What we need to do is embrace the growth, embrace the change and make it work for us,” Shimoni said. “Whether that’s NAU’s growth or the city’s growth and the growing number of people moving to Flagstaff, Flagstaff is going to be one of those places that people are going to come to. We

need to best make the growth work for us and not be victims to it.”

The growth of NAU and tourism in Flagstaff continues to positively impact Arizona’s economy. However, the expansion has created a housing crisis, some involving housing taken away from low-income communities and building luxury apartments targeted towards students instead, Shimoni said.

Interim Deputy City Manager and Economic Vitality Director for the City of Flagstaff, Heidi Hansen, said NAU students, parents and visitors help businesses in Flagstaff thrive.

“If you plucked NAU out of our town and put them somewhere else, our city would suffer,” Hansen said. “They are our largest employer, and they bring great value, exposure and economic impact to our community.”

As the population continues to grow, commitment to sustainability has become more prevalent throughout Flagstaff as well as the NAU community. A big contributor to this goal is the work done by community gardens, providing locally grown food and educating residents on how to live sustainably.

The NAU community garden, first started in 2008, is run by the Students for Sustainable Living and Urban Gardening (SSLUG) club, faculty and volunteers.

SSLUG garden works with local ecosystems to change the process of the current food system at NAU. There are many other community gardens around the city, all focusing on sustainability efforts.

“NAU, being a miniature version of a city, it’s important that they lead on different things,” Shimoni said. “Some of the first bike lanes in the city were on NAU, connecting north and south campus. Often what NAU will do will be implemented on the larger city level, so I think NAU taking leadership for their community garden is great to become more resilient.”

A presentation made by former NAU President Rita Cheng said the 2016 revenue of $550 million is set to increase to $720 million by the 2025 academic school year.

While Shimoni was in office, he was opposed to all student housing across Flagstaff, he said housing should not be accessible to students only. This led to newer buildings, such as Elara at the Sawmill, being more accommodating, creating a range of studios to 4-bedroom apartments, so it

can be available to smaller groups, families and individuals as well.

The most important matter is how to house people long-term instead of only for college years, Shimoni said.

“NAU is our top employer, and they are a huge economic impact to our community,” Hansen said. “They not only educate the finest, but they also create a workforce. They employ over 4,300 people and we value their footprint in Flagstaff and northern Arizona.”

Along with housing complaints, traffic congestion has been argued to be incredibly worse during the school year. However, Shimoni said he does not agree with that argument because a majority of students use transportation other than cars due to the expense, whether that be paying for a vehicle or a NAU parking pass. Shimoni said the traffic issue is not with the students but rather the structure of the roads.

Bottom left: The NAU community garden is a certified Monarch Waystation, which means the site provides food and shelter for the Monarch butterflies as they migrate, Feb. 13. Bottom right: Many homemade bird feeders hang from the trees around the NAU community garden, Feb. 13. Sara Williams | The Lumberjack

NAU’s community garden is decorated with community projects and art, Feb 13. Sara Williams | The Lumberjack

Collabortion of Flagstaff government and local businesses

Local government and local businesses interact with each other through taxes, zoning, codes and meetings

ABIGAIL CELAYA

There is a strong connection between local business and government. In a small town like Flagstaff, many local entrepreneurs find themselves also taking on a government role.

Miranda Sweet is a member of Flagstaff City Council and was the vice mayor for eight months in 2022. She is also the owner of downtown business Rainbows End

The business sells clothes and accessories. Sweet started her small business in Montana in 1998 before opening an additional shop in Flagstaff. After closing the Montana shop, Sweet decided to focus her time and energy on her business in Flagstaff. She tries to spend as much time in the store as possible while also balancing her position in government.

“When I opened up Rainbows End I wanted it to be a community focused business,” Sweet said. “With my role on the city council it’s the same thing, I want to give back to the community.”

Sweet said she noticed similarities between Flagstaff City Council and Rainbows End, specifically within the budgets.

She found both budgets include services and items that need to be purchased.

Jim McCarthy has been a member of the Flagstaff City Council for seven years. McCarthy said he has experience with businesses as he previously was a mechanical engineer and worked 26 years for Honeywell, a larger company.

McCarthy said he does not see many similarities between business and government. While businesses are for-profit and their goal is to make money, the council’s primary goal is to serve the people, he said. Although he does not find the two extremely similar, he did see one overarching similarity.

“We work with people, we manage people and we try to keep them happy,” McCarthy said. “We have those things in common.”

In terms of business regulation, city council regulates business taxes and permits. This includes building height requirements and where businesses can build.

Sweet said sign codes were one example of the government regulations she had to follow at Rainbows End. She has a painting for her store that she had to get approved by the city before use. Sweet’s logo could not be in the mural because it would be classified as a sign, and the painting was too big to be approved according to the city sign code

Along with sign codes, the city helps set the minimum wage – which was put in place by voter initiative – and establishes health codes. McCarthy said he meets with businesses and tours them in order to form and keep a good

relationship with the Downtown Business Alliance

Beyond regulating businesses, local government and businesses work together. Businesses rely on the city to make sure workers and customers can safely visit storefronts.

“We work hand in hand,” McCarthy said. “If people can’t get to their business because there is too much snow on the roads, then that’s a city issue. We need to go out and plow the roads.”

One business that asked for help from the city council was Noble Herb. There are certain regulations marijuana businesses have to follow, including where they can locate and how long they can be open, McCarthy said. After speaking with the council, their request was approved to stay open until 10 p.m.

For business owners who might be nervous to bring their concerns to city council, Sweet recommends communicating with the council in person.

“We won’t know what the concern is unless you come to us,” Sweet said. “Bring those questions and concerns to us so we know what’s going on. We welcome it, we love hearing from the community.”

There is a department in city council dedicated to getting more businesses in town, McCarthy said. He mentioned Trader Joes, WhataBurger and a new Walgreens warehouse all as potentials businesses that may have a future in Flagstaff. Resources for local business owners can be find on the City of Flagstaff’s website

Top: The store’s sign hangs inside front window at Rainbows End Boutique, Feb. 9. Bottom: Owner and founder of Rainbows End Boutique and Flagstaff City Council member Miranda Sweet smiles while being interviewed at Rainbows End Boutique, Feb. 9. Caitlyn Anderson | The Lumberjack

TOURISM continued from FRONT

Despite downtown drawing large crowds, one complaint by locals and tourists is the train tracks that run right before Southside Historic District. Even though the Flagstaff Amtrak Station serves as transportation, houses the visitor’s center and has historical value, some locals consider it a burden.

“The one downside to working in downtown is getting caught behind the train almost every day

before work,” Smith said. “I recently got a job at Val’s Workshop, a coffee and a barber shop downtown, and I still run into the same problem I had while working at Mama Burger. I have to leave 10 minutes earlier than I usually would to account for the train and be on time to work.”

Besides locals and college students, tourism accounts for a lot of downtown business. Visitors looking for things to do in Flagstaff can go to the Flagstaff Visitor Center to check out the website

POLICE BEAT continued from PAGE 4

Feb. 7

At 4:43 p.m., FPD transferred a call to NAUPD about a chimney fire near Lot 3C. NAUPD and FFD responded, and one non-student was arrested and booked into the Coconino County Detention Facility for third-degree trespass.

Feb. 8

At 3:31 p.m., a student called to report a neglected animal at Skyview Apartments. An officer responded and took a report.

Feb. 9

At 7:15 a.m., a student called to report a subject matching the description of NAU crime alert #2023-01, a surreptitious viewing that happened on Jan. 28. The subject was reported near South Knoles Drive and West Riordan Road. An officer responded and the subject was not the suspect.

Feb. 10

At 9:20 p.m., a student called from The Suites to report an illness of a student due to a reaction to medication. NAUPD, FFD and GMT responded and the student was transported to FMC.

Feb. 11

At 1:47 a.m., a student called from Gillenwater Hall to request assistance for their roommate who hit their head. NAUPD, FFD and GMT responded and the student was transported to FMC. At 2:16 a.m., one non-student was cited and released for a DUI in the slightest degree during a traffic stop on West Forest Meadows. At 11:22 p.m., an officer initiated a traffic stop near South Knoles Drive and McCreary Drive and the driver was cited and released for underage consumption of alcohol.

Feb. 13

At 1:52 a.m., a student called from Raymond Hall to report hearing shouting and banging in a nearby room. Officers responded and the parties were separated for the night. At 8:45 p.m., a student called from the Honors College to report a student had been threatened. Upon further investigation, no criminal activity was witnessed.

Feb. 14

At 7:27 p.m., an officer reported being hit by an NAU vehicle near Pine Knoll Drive and East McConnell Drive. Another officer responded and took a report. At 8:25 p.m., an FPD officer called NAUPD to request assistance with a sexual assult situation. An officer responded and took a report.

Feb. 15

At 7:03 p.m., an officer reported being waved down near Lot 3 by a student with a head injury from an unknown cause. FFD and GMT responded and the student was transported to FMC.

Feb. 16

At 5:40 p.m., Chandler PD called NAUPD to request assistance with an investigation. Assistance was provided.

Top: Collins Irish Pub and Eatery is on the corner of North Leroux Street and East Route 66, Feb. 16. Collins Irish Pub and Eatery’s attracts many Flagstaff residents. Middle: The Sweet Shoppe Candy Store is a distinct location across from Heritage Square that serves up gourmet candy, Feb. 16. Bottom left: Mama Burger resides in a blanket of snow as it remains closed due to renovations on Fort Valley Road, Feb. 16. Bottom right: Collins Irish Pub and Eatery is a prominent location for downtown Flagstaff nightlife, Feb. 16. John Chaides | The Lumberjack

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I Heart Pluto Festival 2023

I Heart Pluto Festival 2023

A display shows software that can map planets, stars and galaxies using the Shelyak spectroscope and PlaneWave Reflector at the Giovale Open Deck Observatory at Lowell Observatory in Flagstaff, Feb 19. Patrons of day two at the I Heart Pluto Festival suggest the Andromeda Galaxy after looking at the star Betelgeuse. Left: The Moonraker Victorian Refractor and the TEC WideField Refractor are displayed at the Giovale Open Deck Observatory at Lowell Observatory in Flagstaff, Feb. 18. Taylor McCormick | The Lumberjack

Day of Love and Friendship Pop-Up

Day of Love and Friendship Pop-Up

A banner displays 93 years since the discovery of Pluto by Clyde Tombaugh, announcing a three-day festival titled I Heart Pluto at the Steele Vistor Center at Lowell Observatory in Flagstaff, Feb. 19. Taylor McCormick | The Lumberjack

Above:

Left: Boozy Burners, a small candle shop, sold Valentine’s Day themed candles held in wine glasses at the Culture Connection AZ “Day of Love and Friendship” Pop-Up event, Feb. 11.

Top Right: Artist Cristoff Keyonnie poses for a picture with his paintings at Cultural Connection AZ’s Day of Love and Friendship Pop-Up event, Feb. 11. Bottom Right: Bookmarks and prints featuring the art of Janet M. Yazzie adorn a table at the Day of Love and Friendship Pop-Up event, Feb. 11. Chloe Legay | The Lumberjack

Embracing Snowmaggedon: How to beat the winter blues

CAYLA VIENT

It’s no mystery that snow is great for the first couple of days, but after a while it can be simply annoying. We can only make so many snowmen and have so many snowball fights before noticing the winter blues.

During the first snowstorm of the year, I was so amazed with it. Coming from a small beach town, I had never seen snow before. I was so sure Uggs were snow boots and a hoodie was a good enough snow jacket; needless to say, I later went on a shopping spree looking for a decent puffer coat. My roommate made a TikTok titled “Things my roomie said after seeing snow for the first time” and it went viral after I called a snowplow a zamboni.

Eventually, after about a week of nonstop snow, I was done with the weather. But, after some self-convincing, I reminded myself that it’s only for a couple of months and if I didn’t enjoy it now, I would have to wait until next season.

So, realistically, the only way to fight it is to embrace it.

Let’s be honest, after slipping on ice over ten times, hearing the phrase “just embrace it” sounds crazy and almost a little annoying. But there are plenty of things that we might not be the biggest fans of, whether it’s that precalculus class that makes you cringe every time you open up your textbook, or your roommate blasting music way too late. Embracing all of these situations will make you so much happier in the long run. We can either decide to be permanently in a funk about it, or be more positive and try to find a good laugh during these dull moments.

Sure, walking to class or going to the gym when it’s snowing can seem like such a hard task sometimes and you might want to give up on it, but if you turn on your favorite song and just take a look around you will see the beauty in it. It’s very easy to be upset about the weather and let it directly influence our lifestyle, but the good news is that there are plenty of ways to be active during these snowy days and make great memories.

For one, you can get so much closer to random strangers through difficult situations the snow puts us in. Either by offering a helpful hand to people up after they fall or pushing someone’s car after it gets stuck in the snow, these situations offer a really unique conversation starter. It could be a great way to make a new friend.

Getting outside and moving can also help beat the winter blues. Even just a little walk to a new place can be enough of a workout, plus it’s always fun to have a little adventure. Going around seeing new things or places is great for getting awesome pictures too. It’s a great opportunity to invite your friends to meet up and not spend money.

Another way to boost your happiness is to take advantage of the snow and go do things you can’t do during the rest of the year. Try making a fun snowman with your friends, an igloo to hang out in or have a snowball fight. There’s plenty of places to go sledding or snow tubing. You can also pick up a new hobby like skiing or snowboarding. NAU’s campus is only fifteen miles from Arizona Snowbowl and if you plan ahead, you can get a day pass for cheaper. Snow sports are a great workout and a fun way to meet new people who could potentially be your snowboard or ski buddy.

Finally, enjoy the weather from the comfort of your room. Yes, it’s important to stay active, but sometimes it’s great to have a “me” day. Watching snow from your room while reading a book or watching your favorite movie can be the best form of self-care sometimes. It’s important for you to have some time to yourself and do something that you like.

Although the snow can be taxing on our mental and physical wellbeing, Flagstaff is lucky to experience all four seasons. Learning to take control of how situations make you feel, gives you the power to always be on top of your mental health. Take a deep breath, read up on some fun things to do during snowy weather and have some fun! Most importantly, always prioritize your mental health.

A student walks past a snow pile next to Raymond Hall and the University Union at NAU, Jan. 31. Ethon Peddle | The Lumberjack

An NAU worker walks back to his truck from Wilson Hall, Jan. 31. Ethon Peddle | The Lumberjack Bikes are covered in snow outside of Allen Hall and the Gateway Student Success Center, Jan. 26. Ethon Peddle | The Lumberjack

Macy’s deserves to be on the Historic Register

BRENDAN TRACHSEL

Iam wearing my Macy’s shirt as I write this for inspiration. I hope it works.

Just over 40 years ago, Tim Macy started a journey that would change Flagstaff forever: He opened Macy’s European Coffeehouse & Bakery. Since 1980, it has been a staple of the community for Flagstaffians and tourists alike.

“It makes me feel at home and was the first place I felt connected to in Flagstaff,” Alanna Massman, a 2021 NAU graduate said.

Massman’s experience is not unique. In fact, it is by design. In 2010, Macy spoke in National Public Radio about how, “The whole dream was that we wanted it to be a microcosm of the way the world could be, you know, a place where everyone could come in. They were all welcome, you know?”

Macy’s isn’t only comfortable for the customers that regularly visit, it is comfortable for the employees as well. Macy attributes a significant portion of the shop’s atmosphere to his employees, or family, as he calls them. He even writes “love you” on every paycheck.

Macy’s unique and comfortable environment can also be attributed to the Baha’i faith, according to an interview Macy gave with The Lumberjack

“The Baha’i faith believes in a god or a higher being that we can’t comprehend, and we believed that the spirit comes from all the different teachers, so we believe in all different religions,” Macy said.

Baha’i imagery and text can be seen throughout the space, alongside Tim Macy’s showcased photography and seemingly endless “Best of Flag” awards wrapped around the walls. The quote, “The Earth is one country and mankind its citizens” by Bahá’u'lláh — the founder of the Baha’i faith — can be found on the main menu on the wall.

Macy’s also serves as Flagstaff Baha’i’s gathering space. Every month, special late-night events are held discussing topics relevant to the faith. Everyone is always welcome.

Not only is Macy’s a welcoming space with excellent coffee, it was Arizona’s first coffeehouse to roast its own beans. In a time where espresso was merely a novelty, Flagstaff became a new home for caffeine and community.

Even the iconic Macy’s logo was crafted by a community member. A young woman that wanted to work there included a napkin drawing of a man soaking in a cup of coffee with her application. While she had limited availability and couldn’t be hired, Tim Macy paid her for her sketch creating the ultimate cup imagery we know and love.

Success often comes with expansion, but despite many offers, Tim Macy believes that any more locations would negatively affect the spirit of the space. Uniqueness is Macy’s strength, and its community is dedicated to preserving the space.

Such a unique and significant community space should be recognized for years to come. One way the community can distinguish Macy’s is to work toward designating it a historic place on the National Register of Historic Places

According to the National Park Service, “To qualify for the National Register, a property must be significant; that is, it must represent a significant part of the history, architecture, archeology, engineering or culture of an area.”

Historically, Macy’s status as the first in-house coffee roaster in Arizona is quite significant. Looking around Flagstaff, Arizona and the whole country in 2023, coffee shops and roasteries are all over.

Even serving espresso was groundbreaking at the time.

To put things into perspective, automatic home drip coffee makers only hit the market in 1972. The early burnt coffee from percolators made way to — what many would say, the first decent cup of coffee one can make at home. Drip coffee was the groundbreaking coffee technology at the time.

Just eight years later, Macy’s opened with espresso drinks — completely unheard of at the time. Starbucks didn’t start serving espresso drinks until 1984. It is clear, through their coffee roasting and espresso, Macy’s holds historic value.

The other category is cultural value. Macy’s means a lot to many people. This has been demonstrated by them being all but guaranteed to be voted “Best Coffeehouse” in Flagstaff every year.

The Baha’i community adds to the special space within Macy’s, furthering its unique cultural qualities. Other shops have come and gone, but the one that started it all continues to stand out among all others.

Outside of the Baha’i community, Macy’s is a mecca for coffee lovers. Students can be found studying, and Flagstaffians socializing, from open to close.

Unlike other coffee shops in Flagstaff, the community has built up Macy’s to be something greater than itself. It is a gathering space for all, comfortable to be in, and welcoming to be a part of. It is time we recognize it by giving it historical status.

EMILY REHLING OPINION EDITOR

Flagstaff is a beautiful place. There’s something about living in a small town that makes it easy to appreciate the joy of life as it is. There’s gorgeous scenery everywhere you turn and all four seasons run their course here. Everyone is a good neighbor and the atmosphere is cozy; people help each other in Flagstaff. It’s easy to build connections with your fellow humans in this little town because there’s not too many people to stay up to date with. In bigger cities, it can be hard to feel like you stand out from the crowd. That’s not an issue here.

Unfortunately, this also makes dating incredibly difficult. You could match with someone on Tinder only to never make plans with them, and then run into them while rock climbing at the John Haeger Health and Learning Center. Maybe you actually run out of people to swipe on Tinder so you download Hinge or Bumble, and then it’s all of the same people stuck in the same situation as you. Flagstaff becomes an endless black hole of missed connections because everyone runs out of people to get to know. By the time you’re a senior at NAU, you won’t be able to go into a single place without running into someone you’ve met, or who your friend has dated or who petsat for you one time.

Let’s say you get lucky — you meet someone naturally, you form a wonderful connection and you spend a nice few months together. Unfortunately, it doesn’t work out, and now you have to see them everywhere. They might be your neighbor, or they might always be at your favorite bar or coffee shop or they might even be your mailman. It’s going to be incredibly awkward every single time you run into them, and given the size of this city, you’re going to.

The dating pool in a college town of just about 77,000 people — with only about 23,000 students enrolled at NAU — and therefore incredibly small. I know 23,000 potential options seems large, but filter out your preferences and you’re left with an even smaller amount. Not a fan of blondes? Only want to date someone with the same political views as you? Congratulations, your dating pool is now cut in half. ASU’s enrollment is composed of nearly 80,000 students, so the minimal size of this town definitely has its pitfalls.

Living in a small town, you accept certain sacrifices of freedom. If you wanted to date around in an endless pool of singles, you probably should’ve gone to college in a larger city. In Flagstaff, close proximity to everyone you’ve ever met and high chances of running into them are guaranteed and part of the deal.

Once you date or consider dating someone, a web of connections begins to form. You now know their friends and they now know your friends. If it doesn’t work out, the entire web is very uncomfortable to exist around. You might just want to take your portion of the web and move it on elsewhere, where it will never encounter or connect to the old web ever again. But in such a small town, that’s nearly impossible.

Amid all the awkwardness, a good reminder comes up to learn one of life’s most important lessons: Get over it. Yes, it might be awkward to coexist with your exes, flings and unrequited lovers. But it will ruin all of the fun of those relationships if you allow their presence to make you miserable. Instead, try to embrace the uncomfortable moments and make a laugh out of it — why else do awkward moments like these exist?

College towns are unique for a reason. The people you meet here in Flagstaff, whether they stay in your life or don’t, will always be a part of the little snowglobe of memories you’ll have here.

Don’t let Flagstaff’s dating scene drag you down

A barista grounds espresso beans at Macy’s European Coffeehouse & Bakery while the original logo can be seen hanging on the back wall, Feb. 21. Emily Gerdes | The Lumberjack

Left top: A grey hat with a white mesh back and a Macy’s European Coffeehouse design sits on display at the coffeeshop, Feb. 21. Right top:

Drinks sit on the counter at Macy’s European Coffeehouse & Bakery while baristas take customer’s orders and work behind the counter, Feb. 21. Bottom: Friends Burk Franke, Pat Stefanski and owner of Macy’s European Coffeehouse & Bakery, Tim Macy, sit and chat at a table within the coffeehouse, Feb. 21. Emiy Gerdes | The Lumberjack

Progressiveness is the Allure of Flagstaff

MACIE GUTIERREZ

Flagstaff has a reputation for being a politically active town. With that, the majority of voters in Flagstaff are democrats. Since 2000, Coconino County has voted mainly democratic in every presidential election. In the last election, about 60 percent of voters were democrats, 35 percent were republicans and the remaining were independent. The voting patterns in Flagstaff have not changed much in the past 20 years, demonstrating Flagstaff is a majority left-leaning town and that attitude is here to stay.

Flagstaff is the largest city in northern Arizona, and the tourism and population rates continue to grow. The proximity to the Grand Canyon, Sedona and other national landmarks is part of what draws in tourism, but the political reputation of this small town is also what brings people in and gets them to stay. Flagstaff is also one of the fastest growing cities in northern Arizona. The annual growth rate in Flagstaff per year is 1.39% which is around the same as Phoenix’s. Additionally, more than 5 million people visit Flagstaff every year.

Flagstaff is a college town. Most of the people I have met since attending NAU are liberal, vote democrat or hold leftist views. For some students I know, the political climate is what brought them to NAU and it is one of the reasons that I chose to move to Flagstaff. I am from southern Arizona, where the politics are more rightleaning. Here in Flagstaff, I know I will be able to find people with similar interests and opinions much easier than I could in my hometown.

NAU also has a liberal reputation that draws people to it. I was shocked to learn about different events on campus that strive to educate students about safe sex, LGBTQ matters and other subjects that conservative environments typically don’t focus on. NAU has countless inclusive clubs and organizations that anyone can join at any time. NAU students are doing the work to educate themselves and others on campus, but without the liberal environment of Flagstaff, students would not have the support to start or join new clubs.

I encourage people to come to Flagstaff for multiple different reasons, but the main reason is always that you won’t find a place like it anywhere else in Arizona. One of my favorite things to do is walk around downtown and see all the pride flags in different shop windows and admire the inclusive murals on different buildings. In Flagstaff, people feel safe to express their political opinions, no matter what they might be.

But why does this city have a liberal reputation, and why does it thrive as a progressive town?

People in Flagstaff are able to express their opinions without immediately getting shut down. Students and residents alike are able to protest on corners of busy streets without immediately getting pushed away or shut down by the police. The local government allows residents to feel comfortable and confident enough to speak out and enact change when they feel it is necessary.

ILLUSTRATION BY CALLEIGH JUDAY

Flagstaff thrives as a city for many different reasons. Arizona is considered by some to be a Republican state, and although you can find people with similar views anywhere you go, I cannot imagine going to school anywhere else in Arizona. Flagstaff is a little gem tucked away in Arizona; it is one of the most progressive cities in the state, and it thrives because it allows its citizens to express themselves without feeling afraid.

Progressiveness is the allure of Flagstaff. Democrats have dominated the political scene in Flagstaff for over 20 years, giving Flagstaff the broad-minded reputation it deserves. If Flagstaff was not liberal, it would be a completely different town. It is a progressive, small hippie town that will continue to grow and thrive.

Flagstaff makes ecotourism easy

DAVIS

Traveling has always had an unexplainable appeal. Whether you’re a really adventurous person, you want to see new places or you want to live life to the fullest, traveling is something millions of people do each year. Flagstaff welcomes nearly 6 million tourists each year, and it’s no surprise due to our convenient location from places like the Grand Canyon, Sunset Crater Volcano, Wupatki National Monument and many other sights to see. The outdoors is one of Flagstaff’s central appeals so it should be no surprise that our little mountain town makes traveling in a green way not as much of a challenge as one might think.

Ecotourism may appear daunting at first glance, as are most things when people discuss the negative effects we may have on the environment. In a lot of cities, ecotourism can be a challenge, from trying to find other methods of traveling, to finding eco-friendly hotels or even eco-friendly activities. But in Flagstaff, a majority of business revolves around the outdoors and you can hardly go anywhere in town without seeing, hearing or reading something about Arizona’s most famous wonder, the Grand Canyon. The great thing about Flagstaff is it makes ecotourism a breeze.

Probably one of the most important aspects of traveling somewhere is figuring out how you are going to get there and for many, that means traveling by car. It is the easiest means of travel especially if you’re coming from out of state. While electric cars are hot in the news right now, they are not the only way to travel in an eco-friendly way, especially if you are looking for affordability. If you are traveling in a group, a simple way to reduce your emissions is to carpool. If your group can minimize the number of cars you are taking then your emissions will be minimized, too.

However, this isn’t the only way to travel if you are coming from out of state or cross-country. Flagstaff has the luxury of having its very own Amtrak Station, conveniently located near downtown. Many people seem to forget about Amtrak when discussing green travel, and while many of the routes may take longer than simply driving or flying, you are reducing your carbon footprint the environment. In an annual report, Amtrak reported railways actually use

83% fewer emissions than cars do and roughly 73% less than airplanes. If you do want to travel in a more green or eco-friendly way, there are 500 Amtrak stations across the country that could get you where you need to go.

However, traveling by train might not be appealing as it typically will take more time and can be expensive, depending on the stations. Thankfully, Flagstaff offers more ways to be eco-friendly. Three hotels serving the Flagstaff area — The Drury Inn & Suites, Fairfield Inn & Suites and Hampton Inn — are not only eco-friendly, but sustainable too. Depending on the time of year you travel to Flagstaff, the affordability of rooms will vary, but their service and commitment to ecotourism stay the same. The Drury Inn & Suites is the first LEED certified hotel in Arizona and received an award in 2021 for sustainability. Fairfield is another hotel that is making strides to be more sustainable following the establishment of a Sustainability Committee

Hotels and travel certainly aren’t the only ways Flagstaff offers visitors to be ecofriendly. Quite a few businesses in the downtown area adhere to ecotourism and Flagstaff’s central focus is its outdoorsy environment. Being mindful of cleaning up after yourself while visiting parks is an easy way to be eco-friendly. Contrary to popular belief, ecotourism isn’t all that expensive or hard to do. It certainly is easy to do in Flagstaff when we are conveniently located near so many natural wonders.

There are also many shops around town that sell products made from recycled materials. One of my personal favorites is Earthbound Trading Co. From clothes, to journals, mugs or home decor, all of their products are made from reusable materials. Of course, there are other shops that provide a wide range of cute souvenirs and gifts that are eco-friendly and most are locally owned. So, not only are you helping out a little with the Flagstaff is a special place, not just because of all of the natural wonders, or having an array of outdoor activities one can do, but because unlike many other towns or cities, it makes ecotourism easy to do. With just a little adjusting, visitors can travel in an eco-friendly way that preserves the beauty of our little mountain town.

NATALIE

ILLUSTRATION BY ALEXIS BEAMAN

Flagstaff’s charm comes from its unique preservation of that small-town America, Main Street U.S.A. feeling. But another idea of Flagstaff exists: One of a grimy, smoggy city filled with fast food and gas station signs, only frequented by truck drivers carrying large loads through town. To escape that grim fate, Flagstaff needs to lean into its retro charm, and there’s no better way than by refreshing the road that made it famous in the first place.

Route 66 in its current state is a symbol of Flagstaff’s failure to modernize. The city is growing, having nearly tripled in population since 1969. Demoting a long stretch of historic, famous road to a simple tourist trap is an ignorant action, or lack thereof. The opportunity for growth stemming from Route 66 is enormous; though it’s no longer the easiest way to move through the west, it’s still a major road in Flagstaff itself.

Flagstaff locals deserve a city that stands tall next to the growing metropolises of the

U.S. like Los Angeles and New York. Small towns are dying out fast in favor of suburbs and larger cities, but their appeal can save them. Allowing Route 66 to serve that appeal rather than fall into a fruitless, touristy hell with no room for expansion could bring massive prosperity to Flagstaff.

The charm of downtown Flagstaff should be carried through to Route 66. Instead of empty parking lots and warehouses, Route 66 could be lined with bookstores, coffee shops and restaurants. Charging stations could be installed in those old lots, allowing for more electric vehicles in Flagstaff. Yesteryear could be alive and well again on Route 66 instead of overwhelmingly dead.

Route 66 is not just a relic of the past, but it’s not doing anything for the future, either. Revitalizing Route 66 is essential for Flagstaff’s growth. Having such an important road waste away like a sad, old carnival will do nothing for the city but drive newcomers away. Route 66 is a treasure trove of opportunity, and right now, Flagstaff is missing it.

Left: The paint on a neon sign at the 66 Motel peels in the sun, Feb. 12. Right: The Crown Railroad Cafe’s neon sign glows faintly on the side of Route 66, Feb. 12.

Megan Ford-Fyffe | The Lumberjack

ROUTE 66 continued from FRONT

A Route 66 sign sticks to a fence along America’s Best Value Inn and Suites Flagstaff, Feb. 12. Megan Ford-Fyffe | The Lumberjack

A sign at the Whispering Winds Motor Hotel reads “Established 1959 Historical Landmark” on Route 66, Feb. 12.

Megan Ford-Fyffe | The Lumberjack

Northern Arizona's locally-sourced food scene

Flagstaff is home to a diverse food scene where locals and visitors can enjoy a wide range of options, with some businesses putting an extra emphasis on community. Restaurants line the streets and contribute to making downtown a community-focused area with locallygrown foods.

Year round, restaurants and food stores offer a variety of options. Whether it be breakfast or dinner, meat or vegetables, pastries or desserts, all are available in different locations around town. Locally-sourced food is brought straight to customers’ tables through partnerships between local farms and restaurants.

Square Root Foods is located on Seventh Avenue and sells prepared meals and wholesale items. The shop is run by Brian Konefal, Jack Flaccus and Bryan Lubbehusen. The group met when Konefal owned Coppa Café, a Europeanstyle bistro declared “one of Arizona’s essential restaurants” in 2017 before permanently closing in 2019. The three of them became friends and decided to work together.

“Jack and Bryan had a farm, and I would find vegetables from them, and then we decided to open up a food truck together,” Konefal said. “It was called Square Root Burger. The idea behind that was just using the farm to grow everything we needed for the food truck.”

After COVID-19 cases began declining, they decided to open Square Root Foods and focus on local ingredients. Through their website, they offer delivery in town. For Konefal and his team, working with ingredients produced locally allows them to strengthen their relations with the growers.

“It’s a much stronger community when you are relying on the people around you,” Konefal said. “We have everything available, from jam and local sourdough bread to European pastries and homemade meals.”

They also own The Tot Box, a food truck that sells homemade tater tots and allows them to cover multiple events throughout the state and the Southwest. The Innings Festival in Tempe on Feb. 25 and 26 was the next music festival they attended.

Konefal said cooking savory meals and strengthening the local economy are their main goals. Square Root Food makes a point of making products using seasonal ingredients.

Because winter is a challenging season for farming,

they plan ahead by drying food and cooking large batches of meals to store. Konefal said he is hoping to provide more local products in the future by working with people who have greenhouses.

Shift Restaurant and Bar is located in downtown Flagstaff and works with local farmers as well. Open since 2016, this American shared-plates restaurant stands out because of its locally-driven menu. Dara Wong is the owner of Shift. She said she appreciates being surrounded by her team and building rewarding relationships with customers.

“Getting to connect with strangers I don’t even know or seeing locals multiple times a week, there is nothing more heartwarming than that,” Wong said.

Wong said the whole team came up with a new concept to “shift” the mentality of the traditional dining experience. Now, customers can share multiple dishes while watching the kitchen work through the chef’s counter.

“We really wanted to show the connection between the back of the house and the dinners, because a lot of the time, kitchen staff get hidden away and they don’t get any gratification,” Wong said.

She said she hopes this new design brings the kitchen staff closer to the meal so they receive more recognition from customers.

Shift sources its ingredients from local farms. Kale, squash and tomatoes are among the various products Shift purchases from Forestdale Farm. Other products, such as eggs from Hickman’s Family Farm and goat cheese from Phoenix, are some of Shift’s other locally-sourced ingredients.

In Shift’s kitchen, roles are distinctly distributed. Christian Lowe, a chef at Shift, is in charge of all the savory dishes while Wong makes the pastries and desserts. Many dishes are inspired by local products even though sourcing can be challenging. The cost of local products is a key factor. Wong said she noticed most customers are willing to pay more if the products are fresh and local.

“Sometimes smaller farms don’t always have the ability to deliver or they only have products available every two weeks,” Wong said. “It’s all about education. We get to help the community out, the economy in our community stays a little healthier.”

Wong said she is always trying to improve and to find more local resources with her team. However, expanding the number of collaborators is easier said than done. Cooperation with other restaurants and cooking with local products can

be a solution to increase the number of farms delivering products to Flagstaff.

“We used to have a partnership with a farm that closed down during COVID, unfortunately, so now we have to start new partnerships with different farms,” Wong said. “If it’s a farm in Phoenix, for example, and a lot of us come together and want products from the same place, then we can work together to get that.”

Brix Restaurant and Wine Bar is a fine-dining restaurant that serves meals prepared with local ingredients. Rebecca Deal, the front-of-house manager, has worked there for almost 2 years.

Chef Logan Weber, who was born and raised in Flagstaff, has been working at Brix for 14 years. For him, working with local ingredients is fundamental.

Deal said the restaurant is inside an old carriage house built by a banker named Pollock in 1909.

“The whole ethics of the restaurant is based on local historic buildings, local food and giving back to the community,” Deal said.

Brix also partners with Forestdale Farm, a small family farm located five minutes south of downtown. Rylan Morton-Starner and his wife Jamie Fredricks opened the farm in 2012 and they have been prioritizing organic and sustainable farming practices since then. They also deal with challenging growing conditions and limited resources.

“They are water-wise farmers, which is really hard and part of a niche area of farming that exists in the Southwest,” Deal said.

Despite the short growing season and unpredictable weather in Flagstaff, Forestdale Farm gives locals access to 25 varieties of vegetables and herbs distributed from May to June. Program subscriptions consist of a weekly pick-up for 10 consecutive weeks. Their farmstand is stocked with different items seasonally and people interested in purchasing products can be added to an email list.

In Arizona, restaurants face similar challenges to incorporate local ingredients in their dishes because of significant drought conditions throughout the Southwest. Agriculture uses 72% of water in the state, and sustainable use of water is one of the main priorities for farmers.

Locals support the community by eating and shopping locally grown and produced food.

Lyvier Conss-Chatinsky frequents local restaurants and prefers to shop for locally-grown food. She has been a Flagstaff resident for five years and said she finds satisfaction in eating local food. Conss-Chatinsky said eating local cuisine is the best option to save money and get healthier food. She said her advice for people who would like to eat more local food is to step out of their comfort zone to try something new.

“A lot of times people will go to a fast food restaurant thinking that the cost of a meal is going to be less, yet it’s not,” Conss-Chatinsky said. “You can get more nutritious food by going to a local restaurant. Take the time to explore all the different restaurants we have in Flagstaff.”

The local food scene seeks to provide fresh and sustainably-grown food for the community.

“GETTING TO CONNECT WITH STRANGERS I DON'T EVEN KNOW, OR SEEING LOCALS MULTIPLE TIMES A WEEK, THERE IS NOTHING MORE HEARTWARMING THAN THAT.”

– Dara Wong, owner of Shift Restaurant and Bar

People dine and drink at the Shift Kitchen & Bar in downtown Flagstaff, Feb. 3. Ethon Peddle | The Lumberjack

Owner Dara Wong talks with her manager and Executive Chef Christian Lowe at the Shift Kitchen & Bar in downtown Flagstaff, Feb. 3. Ethon Peddle | The Lumberjack

The San Francisco

Peaks, referred to as Dook'o'oosłííd in Diné culture, serve as one of four sacred mountains to the Navajo people. Although the area is still home to many Indigenous tribes, including the Diné and Hopi, their languages have been heard less and less over the years. Today, with these respected mountains as their logo, a local publishing house is committed to bringing these languages and cultures closer to the community.

Founded in 1994 by brothers Eric and Kenneth Lockard, Salina Bookshelf, Inc. is a multicultural publishing company that focuses on selling and publishing Navajo and Hopi content. The company’s catalog includes bilingual literature like Navajo and Hopi baby board books, children’s picture books, young-adult novels, poetry collections and Navajo language textbooks.

Although the Lockard brothers are not of Navajo descent, they were raised on the Navajo Nation and are both fluent in the Navajo language. When they were 15 years old and still attending high school, the Lockard brothers saw a need for teaching the Navajo language. That was when they decided to found Salina Bookshelf.

The company evolved in Pinon, Arizona, on the Navajo Nation and the Lockard brothers decided to create a permanent space in Flagstaff where they could work within the local literary community and provide materials to schools and local bookstores in the Southwest.

Tyler Mitchell is a Diné writer from Tsaile, Arizona. He has been working for Salina Bookshelf since 2017 and is the company’s current editor.

Mitchell said he first heard about Salina Bookshelf from his former professor at Diné College and the company’s former editor-in-chief, LaFrenda Frank.

Mitchell said he was inspired by Frank’s teaching methods — she introduced him to Diné writers and other Indigenous artists. When Frank told him about her job working at Salina Bookshelf and her mission to create a safe space for Indigenous literature, he said he knew it would be a great place to work at.

“As Diné myself, I knew all too well that our language and culture were at risk of being lost, so I knew what Salina Bookshelf was doing,” Mitchell said. “I knew it was a great place to work with authors and individuals who shared my love for literature and passion for keeping my culture and language alive.”

The main goal of Salina Bookshelf is to promote language and cultural revitalization for Indigenous communities, Mitchell said. However, the company also distributes books across the entire United States and internationally.

“It is always incredible to receive Navajo language textbook orders from Germany, France, Japan and many other countries,” Mitchell said. “It seems like there is no shortage in the variety of

Salina Bookshelf preserves Navajo languages

the Arizona Book Award for Best Children’s Nonfiction book in 2007.

In her commitment to strengthening literacy skills within the Navajo Nation, Flood worked with author and illustrator SD Nelson to create Read at Home, a non-profit organization that provides children with monthly subscriptions to age-appropriate, easy-to-read magazines.

“It’s hard to be a good reader when you have nothing to read,” Flood said. “So, it is important that we bring appropriate books and that they are readily accessible.”

One of the first things Flood said she noticed when she moved to the reservation, was that the books children had access to mostly talked about things that were hard for them to relate to. The children’s books they had talked about things they were not familiar with, like big cities with skyscrapers and zoos filled with animals they had never seen, Flood said.

Flood started working with other teachers to develop an appropriate curriculum the students could relate to.

The first book Flood started working on when she moved to the Navajo Nation was “The Navajo Year, Walk Through Many Seasons.” Teachers on the reservation wanted a book that had something to do with how the seasons change on the Navajo Nation, she said. The book published by Salina Bookshelf is written in English and includes multiple words in Navajo.

customers we have around the world.”

With this commitment to Indigenous communities, the company works with many universities and tribal schools around the country. Mitchell said they are constantly talking to teachers and librarians about what type of books they want.

Most of the books in their catalog are written by Navajo and Hopi authors which showcase aspects of the language, history or culture the company believes can be taught in school.

“Whether it is the history of boarding school by Daniel Vandever in 'Fall in Line, Holden!' or the tragic history of the relocation of Southwestern tribes during the Long Walk, told through a children’s book and a novel series by the late Dr. Evangeline Parsons Yazzie, the books we publish have a lot to teach about our history,” Mitchell said.

The company is currently working on multiple children’s books that focus on Diné children as well as a young-adult novel that follows a young Navajo girl as she prepares for her Kinaaldá ceremony — a Navajo ceremony which celebrates a girl’s transition into womanhood. This last book will be showcased at this year’s Northern Arizona Book Festival in Flagstaff, which will take place March 31 through April 2.

Illustrations and book design are always an important aspect of what Salina Bookshelf publishes,

Mitchell said.

The company’s art director is Navajo artist Corey Begay who is active in the Flagstaff art community, with several murals to his name. He has painted murals in schools across the Navajo Nation and buildings around Flagstaff. Mitchell said Salina Bookshelf uses his knowledge of the art scene to help select Indigenous artists to illustrate children’s books who will give them a unique and beautiful touch.

A large number of the writers Salina Bookshelf works with are educators who are passionate about bringing literature to the children they teach, Mitchell said.

Victoria Tomas is a Navajo language teacher at Puente de Hózhó Elementary School in Flagstaff. She has been teaching Navajo language and culture classes for 22 years and was nominated for the 2023 Coconino County Teacher of the Year award.

Tomas works in a Navajo and English classroom with 28 students. She said although most of her students are Navajo, a lot of them do not have Navajo speakers at home, so they are learning the language on their own.

“The parents are non-speakers, so the kids take their work home, and they teach their parents,” Tomas said. “That is the amazing part of what I do at Puente de Hózhó. It makes a big difference.”

Tomas said with the limited materials available for Navajo language teachers, the books Salina

Bookshelf has published are a great help to her. The audiobooks that come with the textbooks are also an integral part of her lessons, since they allow her students to listen and practice the language at the same time.

“I really integrate the books that are available in my lessons,” Tomas said. “There are limited materials, and anything we have out as a resource is very valuable for me as a teacher.”

Aside from the linguistic aspects, Tomas said the books are also a good way to teach her students about their culture. Books like “Dzání Yázhí Naazbaa’: Little Woman Warrior Who Came Home” are connected to past oral stories and help transfer intergenerational knowledge, she said. By reading them, the students can learn about what the past looked like and share their cultural perspectives.

“Sharing our stories through our language is the best part of what is happening with Salina Bookshelf,” Tomas said.

Books published by Salina Bookshelf are used on the Navajo Nation.

Nancy Bo Flood is a child psychologist, educator and children’s author. She has been living and working on the Navajo Nation for 20 years. Flood has two books published by Salina Bookshelf: “The Hogan that Great-Grandfather Built” and “The Navajo Year, Walk Through Many Seasons,” which received

“When I talked with Salina Bookshelf, it was wonderful that they wanted to include as many Navajo words as possible,” Flood said. “They even included a pronunciation guide, which is certainly difficult. But it is there, and it honors the language and, hopefully, it very much honors the culture as well.”

Flood said she admires how Salina Bookshelf uses Navajo artists as illustrators for their books and the company’s efforts to make the Navajo voice more accessible.

“There is so much wisdom in the Navajo culture and so much we can learn from them,” Flood said. “I really admire Salina Bookshelf’s commitment to accuracy and authenticity and to celebrating the Navajo culture — their people, their history, the different voices, all of it.”

Something separating Salina Bookshelf from other publishing companies is their commitment to creating beautiful books that are accurate and reflect Navajo culture in an authentic way, Flood said.

The accessibility of Navajo literature is essential to the company’s vision, Mitchell said.

“We work with Navajo and Hopi artists to create authentic depictions of Navajo and Hopi culture, to get rid of harmful stereotypes and showcase the importance of our culture and language to a wider audience,” Mitchell said.

Salina Bookshelf hopes to continue publishing bilingual materials that reflect Indigenous culture and aid in restoring Indigenous languages for years to come.

HELENA ROBLA

Salina Bookshelf is a publishing company in Flagstaff focused on Diné language education, Feb. 15. Chloe Legay | The Lumberjack

Tyler Mitchell, Salina Bookshelf's editor, poses for a photo in front of one of their displays of books, Feb. 15.

Chloe Legay | The Lumberjack

“SHARING OUR STORIES THROUGH OUR LANGUAGE IS THE BEST PART OF WHAT IS HAPPENING WITH SALINA BOOKSHELF.”

– Victoria Tomas, a Navajo language teacher at Puente de Hózhó

Rising Snowbowl prices add to resort controversy

Arizona Snowbowl became No. 1 in North America for the highest-priced ski lift tickets with day lift tickets reaching $309 this season.

New controversy arose after Snowbowl's drastic price increase in January. Weekend day lift tickets averaged above $200 during January and February, and the $309 ticket broke country records. Meanwhile, the resort reports ski lift operation closures daily and has yet to reflect company profit increase in employee wages.

The resort recorded a seven-day snowfall total of 76 inches on Jan. 21, attracting a large number of skiers and snowboarders who paid the high prices to experience the resort’s first major snowstorm of the season.

Angelina Grubb, the marketing coordinator at Arizona Snowbowl, said the resort uses demandbased pricing to manage the number of riders on the slopes and ensure guests have the best time on the mountain.

“Our prices are deeply discounted for those who purchase online and in advance, and as more people buy on select dates, ticket prices will begin to increase as Arizona Snowbowl’s method for determining lift ticket prices is based on demand,” Grubb said.

While advance ticket purchasing offers large discounts, it does not guarantee ideal snow conditions. Guests cannot always know when the next winter storm will hit, so demand-pricing prevents some from riding the mountain on sudden powder days.

Snowbowl has received backlash on social media since the price increase in January, with commenters complaining under the resort's Instagram posts about the rising prices and closure of lifts which provide access to the upper half of the mountain.

One commenter said she drove over three hours to ride on the mountain but found out everything was shut down due to high wind. Another said they paid $1000 for a season pass, but the expert terrain is “never open” because of the Arizona Gondola’s closure.

Leo Pratt, a first-year ski lift operator at Arizona Snowbowl and a senior at NAU, said working at Snowbowl has always been on his bucket list. Like many other employees at the resort, Pratt said one of his motivations for seeking employment was the free employee season pass.

Pratt is often assigned to work the gondola and said he noticed frequent closure of the lift due to wind hold, a safety precaution which temporarily halts lift operations because of high winds.

A wind hold at Snowbowl often lasts for a few hours and sometimes for the remainder of the day. On Jan. 21, the gondola was placed on hold for over two hours. The weekend before, it was shut down for a full day.

The resort does not offer refunds on the date a ticket is issued for. Guests may exchange their passes for store credit, but the resort does not guarantee full operations of its services, citing inclement weather or other unforeseeable interruptions as the reason.

Pratt said he empathizes with guests who buy a ticket for the Scenic Gondola ride and come to find out it is closed during riding hours.

“A lot of people will be coming from Phoenix or even farther,” Pratt said. “So, they can't really just

come back whenever.”

The Arizona Gondola lifts riders 2,000 vertical feet up the mountain, providing the only access to 16 out of the 21 advanced runs on the ski hill.

Due to inconsistency with gondola operations, advanced season pass holders lose access to expert terrain. Snowbowl does not offer partial refunds to pass holders for any closure, except for a governmentordered closure of the entire resort or an ownership decision to close the resort, which happened at the start of the pandemic

John Keegan is a 30-year veteran skier at Snowbowl and continuous season pass holder. Keegan skied competitively for around 5 years in Freeride World Tour events predominantly in North America during the late ‘90s. He has skied on over 60 mountains, but he said he calls Snowbowl his home mountain.

Keegan said he is dissatisfied with how the resort manages season pass holders' access to the mountain. He said the resort restricted guests from coming up the mountain because parking lots are full, even though cars are coming down the mountain. This prevents pass holders from riding the mountain, even though they are already paying customers.

“They should just go if a car comes down, a car can go up,” Keegan said. “Just better managing of season pass holders and ski team members and their ability to go ride.”

Customers are not alone in their concerns with Snowbowl’s operations.

Linnea Taylor is a former employee of Snowbowl who worked as a children’s ski school instructor during the 2021-22 ski season. Part of the reason Taylor said she left was because of how the corporation treated its employees.

Taylor said she was hired over the phone without her interviewer asking if she had ski experience. Prior to beginning the position and even on her first day of work, Taylor said there was no training.

“I showed up, and they gave me a jacket, and then gave me 14 five-year-olds and told me to teach them to ski,” Taylor said. “I had no idea how.”

She said as a ski instructor last year, she only received full minimum wage pay while she was teaching lessons. Outside of lessons, she received half pay and was required to stay until the end of her shift even if she did not get scheduled for a lesson. She recounted one day she stayed until 4 p.m. without being scheduled for a single lesson: She was paid half-minimum wage for an eight-hour shift.

Taylor said there were a few times she had to teach 15 five-year-olds in one group. It was stressful and unfair to her and the kids, she said.

“A lot of these problems were put on the managers, and they weren’t their problems to solve,” Taylor said. “They did a really good job advocating for us … they also thought that they should have capped the amount of lessons that were sold, but Snowbowl didn’t.”

Taylor said during her time at Snowbowl, instructors were given a 50% discount off lodge food. However, this discount was void from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. — when instructor lunch hours were scheduled.

Current instructors at Snowbowl said this year they were not paid until they get their first lesson of the day. On weekends, they are asked to show up at the base of the mountain at 7:15 a.m., but lessons do not start until 9 a.m. During that time, they do not receive compensation.

On weekends, parents will pay $119 for their kids to attend a two-hour group lesson, but instructors receive less than 30 percent of that cost in their pay. An even greater pay-to-wage deficit occurs with private lessons. A three-hour private lesson costs $349 on weekends, but instructors receive less than 20 percent of that cost.

Pay rates for instructors fluctuate depending on how long the instructor has been working at the resort and the number of hours they work during the season.

“They're not getting any type of bonus,” Taylor said. “The only people who are benefiting from it is the company, not the employees. They have the money to pay more than minimum wage to start with, even without all these absurd ticket prices.”

James Coleman, aka the “Ski King of the Southwest,” is the owner of Arizona Snowbowl. He is the managing partner and CEO of Mountain Capital Partners, a company that manages ski resorts and mountain bike parks across Arizona, Colorado, Utah, New Mexico and Oregon.

Mountain Capital Partners’ purpose is to “give people the freedom to ski.”

The demand-based pricing strategy used at Coleman’s resorts is not unusual in the ski industry.

A recent trend is for ski resort prices to increase each year. During the 2020-21 winter season, only three resorts in North America exceeded $200 for a day lift ticket. In the 2021-22 season, 10 resorts exceeded $200, and the highest-priced day pass for the season was $249 at Deer Valley in Utah.

Now, Arizona Snowbowl takes the lead, setting the record thus far for this winter at $309.

As of Feb. 14, Snowbowl reported 197 inches of snow for the 2022-23 season. The resort advertises an average 260 inches of snow annually. However, the annual snowfall has a high volatility, fluctuating from as low as 50 inches one year to over 300 inches another. Snowbowl uses a snowmaking system to provide consistency throughout the season.

Snowbowl receives a significant amount of snow compared to the rest of Arizona and its high temperatures, but the ski services offered are comparable to similar resorts across the country that charge less.

Snowbowl has 777 skiable acres, 55 runs and 8 lifts. The peak lift-service elevation is 11,500 feet with a 2,300-foot vertical drop — the distance from the top of the resort to the base.

A comparable resort in Colorado, Monarch Mountain, has 800 skiable acres, 67 runs and 7 lifts. The peak summit elevation is 11,952 feet with a 1,162-foot vertical drop. The average annual snowfall is 350 inches compared to Snowbowl’s 260-inch annual snowfall.

Monarch receives 90 inches more of snowfall than Snowbowl on average, but the Colorado resort charges significantly less, with a peak day-ticket price of $139.

Eva Egbert, the Monarch marketing administration manager, said Monarch Mountain uses a dynamic-pricing method based on demand. This is similar to Snowbowl’s pricing strategy.

“Last year was the first year we started feeling limitations on our available parking on busy holiday weekends and Saturday-powder-days,” Egbert said.

People wait in the long line to get on the Arizona Gondola. The gondolas are not kept in the best shape and need repairs done very often. Background photo: The view from Arizona Snowbowl. Skiers at the resort enjoy different things such as the gondolas, the slopes and plenty of other activities, Feb. 8. Matthew Zarro | The Lumberjack

LILY COMBS

Flagstaff Climbing: more than recreation

JENNA HAMM

Flagstaff is a hub for the climbing scene in Arizona due to its close proximity to a number of crags, such as those on Mt. Elden, The San Francisco Peaks and The Pit. Established in 1995 as Vertical Relief Climbing Center, what is now known as Flagstaff Climbing is the oldest indoor climbing gym in Flagstaff.

Flagstaff Climbing offers top-rope climbing, lead routes, bouldering, a gear shop, classes and more at its Downtown Crag location. The business also includes Main Street Boulders, a separate bouldering gym and the only 24/7 climbing gym in Flagstaff. Northern Arizona Yoga Center, located downtown, is accessible to members of Flagstaff Climbing. Members have access to all three locations.

Although the gym was created as a space for people to come together and climb, the mission of Flagstaff Climbing extends beyond recreation. The staff strive to create and maintain a strong sense of community within the gym.

Jason Henrie is the owner of Flagstaff Climbing. He has climbed and worked at the gym since its early years and has been the owner for the past 4 years. Since it was built so long ago, it has become a meeting place in the community, he said.

“You can walk in this gym and see climbers that have been climbing in Flagstaff for 40 years," Henrie said. "You can meet all your friends and some of them have never climbed before. So, you have this huge range of people and they’re all in the same room climbing around each other.”

Henrie said Flagstaff Climbing prides itself on fostering a space for a diverse community of climbers to come together and learn from one another. They also prioritize making contributions to the community as a whole.

Flagstaff Climbing has committed itself to donate 5 percent of its net profits to various charities and organizations, such as the Flagstaff Family Food Center, Northern Arizona Climbers Coalition and Victim Witness Services of Northern Arizona. In addition to donating to these organizations, they also offer employees pay for volunteering their time.

Any member can volunteer to help out at a Northern

Arizona Climbers Coalition Trail Day, and they will receive a 50 percent discount on their next monthly fee. These days are dedicated to ensuring the safety and accessibility of crags by reporting and replacing bolts.

From April 13 to 16, Flagstaff Climbing will host the Flagstaff Mountain Film Festival for its members. Staff will put up a screen on the wall and show a number of climbing short films.

Henrie said the gym is always trying to do something to bring the community together through fun events, whether that be barbeques, karaoke night, film nights or women’s climbing night. To stay aware of the dates and times of these events, information can be found on Flagstaff Climbing’s Facebook or Instagram page.

One of the main impacts that Flagstaff Climbing strives to have on the community is being a place to support mental health, Henrie said

“[Climbing] can be a super powerful tool for better mental and physical health,” Henrie said. “And at the same time, the gym is such a great place for social and community support.”

Sarah Holditch is a former manager of Flagstaff Climbing who started out in the NAU Climbing Club and worked at Flagstaff Climbing for nearly 6 years, working her way up to a manager position. She is a board member of the Northern Arizona Climbers Coalition (NAZCC), which helps with trail building and bolt replacements and is one of the nonprofits that Flagstaff Climbing donates to.

She said her job felt less like management and more like an opportunity to maintain a welcoming environment and that the staff commits to hiring people that hold values of inclusion and community.

“And just from the staff that we hire there, we make sure that they align with those values of welcoming anyone who’s never climbed before and showing them what it’s all about and just creating a welcoming and safe place for them to come climb,” Holditch said.

Climbing is a unique activity because it centers around building community, she said.

“Climbing, in its nature, fosters really close relationships

with people because there are not that many activities that you do, maybe besides driving your car, with someone that you literally put your life in their hands,” Holditch said. “And so you really, whether you realize it or not, are creating a really strong bond with your climbing partners and I think that’s another reason why the climbing community in general, has a really strong community around it because people are open to building that trust with each other and open to being vulnerable around each other.”

Holditch said the staff at Flagstaff Climbing values outdoor climbing experience. They want to create a space that encourages getting out of the gym and utilizing the skills learned inside the gym on actual crags outdoors.

Josh O’Connor is a former student who graduated in May 2022 and was hired at Flagstaff Climbing after graduation. During his time at NAU, he was president of the Climbing Club.

“It’s just a gym for the community and fostering that community and being a pillar in it,” O’Connor said. “It’s not there to be a money-making business, which I think is pretty cool. It’s just a place for people to be happy and recreate.”

Flagstaff Climbing collaborates with NAU to offer a number of climbing classes that can be taken by students to earn course credit. There are currently three beginner and three intermediate sections being offered.

“If you’ve never [climbed] before and want to try it out, that’s a good way to do it,” O’Connor said. “They’re also a lot of fun. I took them when I was going to college and teach them now.”

Abby Schuh is a junior at NAU and currently has a membership with Flagstaff Climbing. She has been a member of the gym for the past two years.

“The community at Flagstaff Climbing has easily become one of my favorite parts about living here,” Schuh said. “I’ve met so many cool people, and it’s so fun to see people around and hear about their most recent climbing adventures.”

The welcoming atmosphere in the gym is what initially attracted her to it and has kept her a loyal member since then, Schuh said.

Left: Flagstaff Climbing employees Connor Yartz, Cody Nelson and Carson Schrage work to remove all the holds off one of the climbing walls at the Flagstaff Climbing Gym, Feb. 7. Each of the climbing wall holds is changed every two months.

Right: Flagstaff Climbing Gym employee Cody Nelson ties a knot in the rope after accending above it at the Flagstaff Climbing Gym, Feb. 7. Tying knots in the system creates safety measures in case equipment fails.

Bottom: Flagstaff Climbing Gym employee Cody Nelson ties a figure-eight on a bight onto an anchor point on a climbing feature before removing bolts and screws holding it in place at the Flagstaff Climbing Gym, Feb. 7. Figureeight on a bight is an essential knot used in rock climbing.

John Chaides | The Lumberjack

Flagstaff's “Tattitude”

MAKAYLA RICHARDSON

In spite of the stigma surrounding individuals with tattoos, tattoo culture is evolving. In 2023, it was reported over 145 million Americans have a tattoo.

Flagstaff serves as a prime location for a diverse tattoo community to develop: It welcomes over 6 million tourists annually. Its location on Route 66 has brought myriad artistic influences into the industry. Upward of 13 independent tattoo shops are providing their services to the abundance of tourists, college students and locals.

Many of Flagstaff’s artists make it their goal to welcome each guest with hospitality.

Tim Sena is the owner and a tattoo artist at Avail Tattoo Avail was founded in 2013 and is located in Woodlands Village, about a mile from NAU. Their studio has an open concept floor plan that allows clients to speak with each other.

Since the shop is located away from the heavy foot traffic of downtown, Sena said he realized hospitality may be the most important characteristic of a tattoo artist.

After receiving tattoos by other artists across the country, Sena said he experienced firsthand what it was like to be treated poorly by a shop. When it came time to open his establishment, he said he wanted to make sure the customers were greeted with a friendly and inviting environment.

“The fundamentals of our culture are our hospitality, customer service and obviously good tattooing,” Sena said. “I feel like we built a culture on those small fundamental things. My guys that work for me, they’ve adopted the same mentality that we don’t have to be the typical tattooers that are not welcoming. So, when people come to the door, they feel like they’re a part of the family immediately.”

His belief in having a tight-knit culture expands past his business, he said. Sena said he makes the effort to build a connection with other local businesses and grow relationships with his neighboring competitors through paint nights and art showcases. He said he is trying to change a community that has a history of seclusion and competition.

“It’s just very competitive in a small town like Flagstaff,” Sena said. “Obviously, that’s not my mentality, because just like an open concept in a tattoo shop, I have an open concept in the tattoo community. We should be trying to get to know each other and trying to get together.”

Avail Tattoo is not the only company that is working to develop a healthy tattoo community. Woody’s Old School Tattoos and Piercings also recognizes the importance of unity in a small town.

Woody’s has been in its downtown location for 12 years and was founded by Woody Stone. Stone is a tattoo artist who has been working on his craft for over 20 years after his previous career as a musician in Los Angeles, California.

Stone said customer service is very important in his line of work because he wants to be known for treating clients well, and clients look for recommendations on which establishment to visit.

He said he credits his steadfast beliefs to the lessons he was taught by his mentor Jay Byrd, a local artist who specialized in tattoos and oil paintings. Though Byrd recently passed away, his influence has not eluded Stone.

“You want to be a good person, because what comes around goes around,” Stone said. “He was really good with people. That taught me a lot, and he was really giving. He didn’t like to let them fluster his ego, so he would always be really polite and nice.”

The tattoo community in Flagstaff is a tight-knit group, Stone said. He is friends with artists at other studios, like Patrick Sans who owns Burly Fish Tattoo & Piercing, he said.

Building close relationships with other tattoo artists in the area is a sentiment shared my many artists in town.

Robert “Blue” Benson is a tattoo artist who works at Woody’s alongside Stone. As an established tattoo artist, Benson said he has built relationships with other local artists and has observed something he calls “tattitude.”

Benson said he regularly has other artists over for family celebrations.

“People think because they’re tattoo artists with their rock-star look, they’ll treat their clients like s---,” Benson said. “They charge too much, and they just think that their art is the best art.”

Benson said avoiding this “tattitude” is paramount to maintaining a good customer relationship. To prevent falling into this mindset, Benson said tattoo artists must maintain fair prices and treat their clients well.

To keep his clients returning, Benson said he learns about them instead of making them feel unwelcome.

“If you remember a client’s name or you’re doing a memorial piece for somebody, ask about the person and get to know your clients,” Benson said. “You treat them well, and that hospitality goes a long way.”

Putting in the effort to make customers feel comfortable while getting a tattoo is a method used by tattooers of all experience levels.

Dyson Navarro is a tattoo artist at Avail Tattoo and has been professionally working at this establishment since last fall. At 20 years old, Navarro was able to skip an apprenticeship to work regularly as a guest tattoo artist at Avail. After, he was offered a full-time position.

Navarro said although his coworkers treat him like family,

he has seen examples of “tattitude” in the tattoo community — particularly by other artists who underestimate him due to his age. While it may be intimidating at first, he said he works to disprove their expectations.

“I like to think that I’m a fast learner,” Navarro said. “I’m able to put out artwork that I’ve been told is as good as four-year tattoo artists, and once they see your work, they give you that respect.”

He said he has seen artists blinded by their pride increase their prices and judge those with less experience than them. Navarro said he thinks artists within the community should come together to develop a better tattoo culture.

A closer tattoo community can be developed through practicing humility and hospitality, he said. Navarro said his goal is to make sure his clients feel they are in a safe space while they are getting a tattoo.

“You can learn from every single tattoo,” Navarro said. “Always be humble about learning, and never take destructive criticism as attacking towards you personally. Always be able to learn, and never stop learning, because then, that’s when you plateau.”

Navarro said no matter an artist’s experience level, they should have an apprentice’s mentality to avoid losing their humility. This way, he said, the community can come together and grow.

Top: Woody’s Old School Tattoos and Piercings owner Woody Stone sits at his desk as he is asked about his thoughts on the tattoo community in Flagstaff, Feb. 4.

Bottom: Dyson Navarro, a Avail Tattoo artist, wipes excess ink off the tattoo of a skeleton holding a gun with a quote above it on the calf of his client, Feb. 10. Victoria Medina | The Lumberjack

Avail Tattoo Studio owner Tim Sena works on shading the leaves and flowers for a memorial piece on his client's outer thigh, Feb. 10. Victoria Medina | The Lumberjack

Back2Basics: a local recovery program

ROSE BAILLIE

Located in three houses across Flagstaff is Back2Basics (B2B), an outdoor adventure rehab and recovery program for young men struggling with drug and alcohol addiction.

B2B combines wilderness therapy and addiction treatment for the duration of six months to one year, building an innovative and alternative approach to a traditional recovery model where patients do not leave the premises until they have completed the duration of their stay.

After having personal struggles with alcohol and eventually getting sober, Roy J. DuPrez founded B2B in 2010.

While DuPrez’s program still focuses on a therapeutic and clinical approach similar to typical recovery programs, it also provides clients with healthy outlets — like time outdoors and mindfulness practices — and an opportunity to learn how to enjoy life while emphasizing recovery. Some of the benefits of this structure are bonding with nature, finding self-awareness outdoors, connecting mind-bodyspirit and developing community.

“We’re not the traditional 30-day model, although we’re just as comprehensive in the clinical capacity, and just as [protective] in the sense of keeping our guys safe and within the confines of the program itself, it’s just that they have a little bit more exposure to real life, rather than being in some sort of cinderblock hospital setting,” DuPrez said.

He is an NAU alumni and received a Master of Education in counseling. He has lived in Flagstaff for over 20 years and said it has been an organic environment to establish and navigate B2B. He said he believes the location is ideal for executing his program.

“Flagstaff just always, for me, had a vibe to it as far as a healthy environment, a lot of outdoors [and] community stuff going on that I didn’t have exposure to when I was growing up,” DuPrez said.

For the first six months, clients spend their weekdays on the B2B campus in Flagstaff, participating in meditation, exercise, individual and group therapy, community service and 12-step addiction recovery meetings with alcoholics and narcotics anonymous. They volunteer weekly at organizations like Habitat for Humanity of Northern Arizona, local food banks, Grand Canyon Trust and Catholic charities.

Derek Burdine, who attended B2B in 2017, described this part of the program as therapeutic and restorative.

“It’s a lot of emotion and inventory and repair, therapeutically and through overcoming physical challenges,” Burdine said. “And also, they integrate family work in those first six months, trying to bring some cohesiveness and understanding back.”

The weekends are spent on wilderness excursions — hiking, camping and kayaking — to nearby places, like the Grand Canyon and Zion National Park.

In this phase, clients learn how to find a better sense of self and start to develop a relationship with sobriety.

DuPrez said the outdoor adventure component is an opportunity for clients to begin to appreciate what life has to offer.

“It’s an opportunity to learn, I feel like, relearning what’s rad, you know?” DuPrez said.

DuPrez said B2B wants to show their clients an alternative to their unhealthy lifestyle before the program and before sobriety. DuPrez said he wants to show these men how great life can be without the struggles that come from living in addiction.

“[B2B provides] these guys an opportunity to see like, ‘Hey, fun doesn’t need to be so catastrophic, bottom line, and I can gain opportunities that can continue to grow, and I can continue to develop as a human being without all these consequences,’” DuPrez said.

Reed McCaskill, another B2B alumni, said this time outdoors not only provides clients with fun, but it is closely related to recovery.

“You go out there,” Reed said. “You’ve got this heavy

pack on your back. You’re hiking [with] 50 to 60 pounds on your back, and you’ve got to push, push, push and then, finally, you get to this great destination, and you’re on top of this cliff with all of your buddies looking over this beautiful canyon. And so, I think there’s a lot of little lessons in that.”

The outdoor component is intentionally implemented into the program, McCaskill said.

Once clients have completed the first six months of the program, they enter the next phase which is known as Beyond the Basics. This part of the program typically lasts an additional six months.

Beyond the Basics is when these men begin to integrate back into the “real world” by getting jobs, internships or going back to school. They continue to live at B2B in the Beyond the Basics house and participate in therapy and groups.

McCaskill, who now works at B2B, said this part of the program is a safety net for the clients to deal with the struggles of everyday life and put thier new skills to practice.

“It really is a chance to go make mistakes and come back, and then, we process it and kind of do that over and over and get them as close to a place of what life will look like whenever they get out of transition,” McCaskill said.

Both DuPrez and McCaskill said this part of the program provides a foundation for the clients to be successful in their recovery and life in general.

DuPrez said he and his team do not just push their clients through the program, but rather focus on each client and provide a quality, individualized experience.

“We’re a small enough program that nobody’s slipping under the radar,” DuPrez said. “And all of that is very intentional, you know, we’re not bottling Pepsi here … not everybody’s on the same trajectory.”

Both Duprez and McCaskill said community is at the heart of Back 2 Basics and is a fundamental aspect of sobriety.

“Community is really what it boils down to,” DuPrez said. “Most of us alcoholics, and people struggling with addiction, tend to isolate. Within those community environments, there’s accountability, there’s expectation and obviously that we’re a team. You’re part of that, you’re a spoke on this wheel.”

Within their community, B2B focuses on fostering a healthy environment with vulnerability and humility — these characteristics and mental health, in general, are often stigmatized for young men.

“As far as being a mens-only program, we’re really trying to minimize that fraternity-type culture, because it is important that these guys have a platform to be vulnerable, rather than bravado,” DuPrez said. “The bravado can keep us from helping and healing ourselves, so we try to weed [out] that kind of energy.”

McCaskill said many of the B2B clients make life-long relationships with one another and stay a central part of each other’s lives.

“The guys that went through the program with me are my best friends to this day,” McCaskill said. “Those are the guys that’ll be in my wedding years down the road.”

Once they complete the program, many of the B2B men stay in Flagstaff and live together. Some end up working there as well. They have people they can rely on — both at B2B and in the local 12-step recovery community.

“One of the biggest things is taking us to 12-step meetings and getting incorporated with the community out here,” Burdine said. “So then, when I got out, I had a sense of belonging here in Flagstaff.”

Both McCaskill and Burdine work at B2B and have remained a part of the community. McCaskill is pursuing a degree in social work with the intention of becoming a therapist, specializing in substance abuse.

Burdine said once you are a member of the B2B community they will continue to support you.

“The cool thing is, after you’re out of the program … they’re still more than willing to help you out through your process,” Burdine said.

“AS FAR AS BEING A MENS-ONLY PROGRAM, WE'RE REALLY TRYING TO MINIMIZE THAT FRATERNITY-TYPE CULTURE, BECAUSE IT IS IMPORTANT THAT THESE GUYS HAVE A PLATFORM TO BE VULNERABLE, RATHER THAN BRAVADO. THE BRAVADO CAN KEEP US FROM HELPING AND HEALING OURSELVES, SO WE TRY TO WEED [OUT] THAT KIND OF ENERGY.”

– Roy J. DuPrez, founder of Back2Basics

Breathe in the mountain air

CEO and Founder of Back2Basics Roy J. Duprez Poses for a photo outside one of his program’s houses at Back2Basics, Feb 13. Caitlyn Anderson | The Lumberjack

Sunlight streams through a living room window in one of the Back2Basics houses, Feb 13. The rehab and recovery program focuses on providing a positive recovery environment and forming life-long connections. Caitlyn Anderson | The Lumberjack

Lumberjacks working for Late for the Train Coffee Roastery, Whisk and Whiskey, NiMarco’s Pizza West, Cornish Pasty Co., Lumberyard Brewing Company and Grand Canyon Brewery and Distillery gave their testimonies about working in the service industry. These hard-working Jacks said they enjoy the fast-paced environment and the camaraderie in the

Sade Hairston (she/her)

Senior Exercise Science

Barista at Late for the Train Coffee Roastery

“I really enjoy connecting with customers and just seeing regulars that I see every other day — meeting new people from all over the world,” Hairston said.

“It’s very personal, very intimate, and you have a better chance to be yourself and express yourself. People really liked that, and they enjoy it, and it draws people in.

“I remember I had a customer from the East Coast. He came in about a year ago, and we had a really good conversation. I don’t remember what it was about, obviously, but it was just really good, and I remember him from it. And he came back a couple of weeks ago. He was like, ‘Hey, I remember you from a year ago, and you just really made my experience in Flagstaff really awesome, just making it feel really homey.’

James Greaves (he/him)

Junior Finance Server and Busser at Lumberyard Brewing Company

“It’s a family-owned business,” Greaves said. “So, the way they treat their employees top to bottom I think definitely stands out compared to more corporate-type restaurants.

“I’ve worked in a corporation, like a restaurant corporation, and they were a lot more strict, a lot more hardcore. They weren’t as personable; they weren’t more understanding of circumstances.

“[At] any restaurant server job, you’re gonna learn how to communicate, talk to people, talk in front of people, you know, coordinate when you mess up.”

Alexis Niggli (she/her)

Senior Business Management

Lead Bartender at Grand Canyon Brewery and Distillery

“There’s camaraderie between all of us, we all spend a lot of time together, even outside of work,” Niggli said. “We’re all really good friends here.

“It’s made it a lot easier to talk to other students.

“I get a couple customers in here — usually dads — they like telling their dad jokes. And it’s great to pass along to all our friends.

“You get a lot more of the Flagstaff culture.”

& PHOTOS BY MEGAN FORD-FYFFE

day-to-day hustle, favoring Flagstaff’s local businesses over chain restaurants. Students said the service industry has helped them forge valuable life skills such as effective communication, establishing connections and persevering in the working world. Half of the students are studying business-related majors and said the skills and expertise they gained in the service industry will serve them well in their future employment endeavors.

Nathan Moore

Senior Business Management and Spanish Shift Lead at NiMarco’s Pizza West

“It’s always fun coming into work,” Moore said. “Everybody’s college students. So, we all get along well; everybody’s kind of the same age.

“I don’t think about coming to work [like it is] a drag or something I don’t want to do, so it’s like, ‘Oh, another day at work — stoked.’

“[I] definitely want to do some higher-up management, but I don’t know, at some point in my life. I probably won’t start out that way. Nor do I know if I’ll stay in food service. I think I might branch out and do other things. But I know, being younger, at least food service is fun.

“Sometimes people recognize me. They’re like, ‘Oh, you’re the guy that works at the pizza place. I always go in there.’”

Lindsey Totin (she/her) Junior Business Server at Whisk and Whiskey

“I started off as a bio-med major, and then, I kind of saw the way our owners run everything and the business side of it, and I got a little bit more intrigued, I would say, and I really liked it,” Totin said. “So, it kind of flipped my major, honestly.

“I feel like the more-local restaurants understand I’m here for school and school comes first, and I feel like they do a really good job about understanding a little bit better than the chain restaurants do.

“[The workers are] such a mix of students [and] grad students, and they’re all just different in their own way. And I feel like [Whisk and Whiskey has] more like an urban vibe.”

Ethan Owen (he/him) Sophomore Information Systems Dishwasher at Cornish Pasty Co.

“Instead of being kind of a party bar, it’s more of a low-key dinner spot,” Owen said. “We have really diverse crowds where we have families come in, but also, toward later on in the night, you have a lot of college students like partiers who are just bar hopping.

“The thing I enjoy the most about my job would have to be probably the social aspect, getting to mess around with co-workers and, I don’t know, build bonds within the workplace and keep each other elevated.

“But the biggest thing for me that I’ve learned here is to make sure to take care of myself and ask for help when I actually need it. Because obviously, dishwashing is not a very … You don’t have to be super smart to be good at it; you have to get an algorithm down when you’re doing it and be fairly perseverant, because when 2 a.m. hits, and you’ve got stacks of dishes to wash, it can be pretty daunting. So, you kind of [think] mind over matter and just do it.”

(he/him)

The Best Of John Williams

Flagstaff Symphony Orchestra

A star is displayed on the wall behind the Flagstaff Symphony Orchestra as they play Flight to Neverland from Hook at Ardrey Memorial Auditorium, Feb. 18. Victoria Medina | The Lumberjack

The audience watches the Flagstaff Symphony Orchestra as they play The Raiders March from Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark at Ardrey Memorial Auditorium, Feb. 18. Victoria Medina | The Lumberjack

Left: Some musicians in the Flagstaff Symphony Orchestra wear costumes as characters from movies associated with their concert, The Best of John Williams at Ardrey Memorial Auditorium, Feb. 18. There is a musician dressed as Indiana Jones (left), a Hufflepuff student from Harry Potter (center), and Ellie Sattler from Jurassic Park (right). Above: Music director and conductor Charles Latshaw feels the music as he conducts the Flagstaff Symphony Orchestra through the Love Theme from Superman: “Can You Read My Mind?”, Feb. 18. Victoria Medina | The Lumberjack

First Friday Art Walk

PHOTOS BY ETHON PEDDLE

CHLOE LEGAY

A guide to Flagstaff camping

Flagstaff is a popular spot among many outdoor enthusiasts. From the San Francisco Peaks to extraordinary natural attractions, there is a great variety of scenic landscapes and an abundance of areas to explore.

There are also plenty of places to camp in Flagstaff and its surrounding areas. Whether you are looking forward to getting away from the hustle and bustle of the city or just want to spend some time outdoors, northern Arizona has something for everyone.

If you are looking for various spots to camp and explore, the first step would be to get a map. The Coconino National Forest office provides a number of maps to help you navigate to your new favorite spots and connect with nature. You are also able to discover new places that may not be as populated and offer dispersed camping to the community.

For those that have traveled or are originally from Flagstaff and are looking for a peaceful camping experience, the Hart Prairie Preserve is just the place. Within the 1.8 million acre dense forest that flows through and around the city, this place is home to hundreds of miles of hiking trails and camping spots that offer breathtaking views that will never get old.

This area is filled with aspens and a variety of wildflower meadows whose colors will catch your eyes. The San Francisco Peaks will be right in front of you and the thick beautiful forest will be surrounding the camp spot you choose.

Corinna Haines is a local who has grown up camping with her father for her entire life. Haines tries to get outside as much as possible so when she does, she said she knows all the perfect spots.

“One of my all time favorite spots is up near Hart Prairie,” Haines said. “At that particular elevation, you get this amazing blend of aspens and ponderosas and get to camp in an open field which is always better in my opinion.”

Another great area for those searching for a more easy camping experience is Canyon Vista Campgrounds . This campground has multiple facilities for campers to use. Each of the 14 single-unit sites comes equipped with a picnic table, fire ring and cooking grill. There are also toilets and drinking water available for campers to access.

There are many different activities campers can participate in; everything from

“ONE OF MY ALL TIME FAVORITE SPOTS IS UP NEAR HART PRAIRIE. AT THAT PARTICULAR ELEVATION, YOU GET THIS AMAZING BLEND OF ASPENS AND PONDEROSAS AND GET TO CAMP IN AN OPEN FIELDWHICH IS ALWAYS BETTER IN MY OPINION.”

Corinna Haines, NAU student

hiking, horseback riding and rock climbing to sight seeing and wildlife viewing can be done here. If none of these activities are ones you want to participate in, it is also a great spot to explore the surrounding canyons, streams and deep forests. Only 15 minutes away from the heart of Flagstaff, Canyon Vista Campground is a great spot to get out and reconnect with nature.

For those looking for a serene camping experience, Lakeview Campground is another area for an outdoor adventure. Located near the banks of Lake Mary, this campsite is surrounded by towering pines and offers great hiking, paddle boarding and fishing opportunities.

There is an abundance of wildlife present in the area which makes sightseeing even more exciting. There are 30 single-unit campsites that come equipped with the essential start ups for making a comfortable campground. There are some fees to be paid to camp here but the beautiful views and breathtaking wildlife make it worth it. The peaceful environment makes this campground the perfect spot to enjoy the beauty of nature.

Whether you are seeking a peaceful experience or an adventurous outdoor excursion, Lakeview Campground can give the best of both worlds and is a must-visit place in Flagstaff.

Nichole Sanchez grew up in Flagstaff and has lived here her whole life. Sanchez is a local river guide for Grand Canyon Youth . Lakeview Campgrounds is Sanchez’s top outdoor location.

“I would consider Lakeview as my go-to spot because of how immersed you are in the pines and how close you are to the water,” Sanchez said. “Not to mention it is a quick spot to head out on a whim for a camping trip.”

If campers are looking for a more adventurous trek a little bit farther away from Flagstaff, East Pocket Campgrounds near Sedona is the right place to be.

East Pocket is known for being a short ways down Woody Mountain Road from the infamous Edge of the World hike . This hike is one of the most popular hikes in Arizona consisting of a scenic view on the edge of the Mogollon Rim overlooking the impressive Sedona red rocks. Sedona is a short 30 minute drive from Flagstaff, making the trip to the East Pocket and Edge of the World hike very accessible.

It is important to remember to look at the Coconino National Forest guidelines to make sure you are able to camp in a specific area or campground.

Jeremy Haines, an archaeologist and father of Corinna Haines, has been working as a supervisory exhibit specialist for the National Park Service for many years and knows his way around Flagstaff’s campgrounds. Haines mentioned some very popular campgrounds may begin to be closed off to the public for various reasons.

“Folks do need to check the Coconino National Forest website,” Haines said. “You notice there’s a lot of restrictions immediately adjacent to the town, but a short distance away, there’s lots of ample camping but many of the places are under stage one fire restrictions.”

No matter the type of camping adventure you are seeking, northern Arizona’s parks and campgrounds offer diverse scenery and unique experiences.

ISABELLA GILBERT

A group of campers set up camp at the entrance to Hart Prairie Preserve with opportunities to sled during winter season, Feb. 11. Sara Williams | The Lumberjack

A young camper plays in the snow next to their tent at the Hart Prairie Preserve, Feb. 11. Sara Williams | The Lumberjack

The true city of stars

Regarded as somewhat of a quaint and sleepy town, Flagstaff and its rich history may not be known to many people. To those familiar with it, they think of its vicinity to the mountains and the ability to experience all four seasons, despite being in Arizona.

Yet, there is another paramount quality that makes the city its own: the night sky and the astrotourism attractions it offers. Just look up at night and you will be able to point out a wide array of stars and constellations.

The sheer visibility of outer space phenomena would not be a reality had Flagstaff not become the first internationallyrecognized Dark Sky City in 2001. The policy change was first proposed by Lowell Observatory, which aided their astronomical research.

On top of Mars Hill, Lowell Observatory offers scenic views, guided tours, immersive exhibits, solar viewing and more. It is one of the most visited sites in Flagstaff, with upwards of 100,000 visitors each year

Caroline Reed, public programs educator for Lowell Observatory, said the city’s dark sky policy has positively impacted both the observatory and the city from an environmental standpoint.

“For astronomy, light pollution really does affect the research that you can do and exploring space is important just to know the origins of the universe, see what we’re dealing with and how to approach things going forward,” Reed said. “And then I also come at it from an environmental aspect. Light pollution is a pretty big area of pollution because it’s not always thought about.”

Lowell Observatory has a legacy of fighting to preserve dark skies, and beyond that, has shaped Flagstaff’s community to what it is today.

“Lowell really did inspire Flagstaff to become more than just a lumber community,” Reed said. It’s the first scientific institution here and it kind of helped bring about some awareness to Flagstaff because at the time, Arizona wasn’t even a state yet.”

What really put Flagstaff on the map was the discovery of Pluto by Clyde Tombaugh on Feb. 18, 1930. The selftaught astronomer had only been working at Lowell for a year before becoming the first American to discover a planet.

The day of discovery has been celebrated for generations and remains an integral part of Flagstaff culture.

This year, Lowell hosted the 93rd I Heart Pluto Festival from Feb. 16-20, which has been a community tradition since the planet was first discovered.

The four-day long festival was packed full with various activities all around Flagstaff and attracted visitors far and wide.

Phoenix resident Michelle Scott said she was interested in coming to the festival to look through the telescopes at Lowell and try the space-themed drinks sold around downtown.

“Being from Phoenix, it’s nice coming to a dark sky city, and I love going up to the observatory and seeing the stars,” Scott said.

At the observatory, visitors can look through a variety of planets, star clusters and nebulae that are most visible at the given time of year.

NAU student Madeleine John said seeing the vivid colors of the Orion Nebula was the highlight of her trip to the observatory, along with getting to look through the telescope that Pluto was discovered through.

“Being able to see the telescope that [Tombaugh] looked through to discover Pluto and even being in that same room

with the telescope was really cool,” John said. “We got to see those images that compared where Pluto was and how Pluto moved in the next image and that’s how he was able to discover Pluto, which was really interesting to learn.”

As part of the National Pluto Day celebration, Lowell Observatory also hosted the Night of Discovery. At the event, guests were able to learn the history of Pluto, explore space art galleries presented by the International Association of Astronomical Artists (IAAA) and listen to a number of acts and presentations.

Astronaut, aquanaut and space artist Nicole Stott headlined this year’s event.

John said she felt encouraged to attend the event to learn more about space, not wanting to pass on the chance to hear from an astronaut.

“After going to Lowell Observatory, it was so interesting just to see the telescopes that they used and the process that they used to be able to find Pluto,” John said. “That and being able to listen to an actual astronaut because it’s not every day that you get to talk to someone who was able to go and live in space.”

During her presentation, Stott spoke on her first experiences in space and overarching lessons since coming back to Earth.

“I was really impressed most by the simple lessons of stuff we already know, before ever going to space and then appreciating those things in a whole new way,” Stott said. “We live on a planet and we’re all earthlings, the only border that matters is that thin blue line of atmosphere that’s protecting us all. And then that absolutely our most important role is to be behaving like crewmates not passengers here on spaceship Earth.”

Stott explained how she started painting as a vessel to capture her space exploration sights.

“When I was thinking about retiring from NASA, like taking myself out of the opportunity to fly again, and wanting to find a way to kind of meaningfully uniquely share

those spaceflight experiences, I just kept coming back to that painting experience in space,” Stott said.

Part of her inspiration for painting comes from working with the MD Anderson Cancer Center, where she she cofounded the Space for Art Foundation and facilitated the Spacesuit Art Project with the child patients at the center. In the presentation, she showed how the kids’ finished artwork had been sewn into spacesuits. Stott said the kids felt inspired from having seen their paintings in space, and that inspiration was something she wanted to continue to make possible in her time back on Earth moving forward.

The event ended with Stott signing copies of her book, “Back to Earth: What Life in Space Taught Me About Our Home Planet — And Our Mission to Protect It,” which was also being sold at the event.

Lowell Observatory isn’t the only establishment that holds astronomy-related events. The Flagstaff Dark Skies Coalition hosts the Flagstaff Star Party at Buffalo Park annually on Sept. 16.

If you are looking for backcountry Flagstaff stargazing opportunities, Flagstaff Stargazing Adventures is another option. They are holding the New Moon Star Party and Flow Arts Festival on April 22 just outside of Flagstaff at Gateway Ranch, which will include fire spinner performances, music, dinner and more.

The landscape of Flagstaff also creates opportunities for stargazing almost everywhere you go, so attending events isn’t always necessary. Besides Lowell, there are several national parks and monuments in the city that residents flock to for stargazing. Buffalo Park, Sunset Crater and Lake Mary are some of the most popularly visited places for the night sky views they offer.

Between Flagstaff being a dark sky city and having several stargazing attractions, the city sets a precedent for astrotourism. The beauty of Flagstaff lies in its affinity to the stars.

JESSIE MCCANN

Moonlight illuminates the San Francisco Mountains from Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument, Feb. 7.

Megan Ford-Fyffe | The Lumberjack

The Clark Dome stands at the edge of Mars Hill at Lowell Observatory, Feb. 8. Inside, visitors can view the stars through the Clark telescope which Percival Lowell used 125 years ago. Megan Ford-Fyffe | The Lumberjack

Visiting ‘the house that chilaquiles built’

As someone who grew up in a Hispanic household, I’ve spent my entire life eating Mexican food. From pozole and menudo to tamales and enchiladas, I’ve had my fair share of traditional meals.

When I first moved to Flagstaff, I was concerned with which restaurant would offer the authentic experience of a Mexican meal. As much as I enjoy cooking, some recipes require a lot of ingredients and time. With a majority needing some sort of salsa, the flashbacks of coming home from school as a kid and feeling an immediate burn in my eyes from the tomatoes, jalapeños and onions cooking in the kitchen was enough for me to decide that eating out once in a while wouldn’t harm anyone.

I heard of MartAnne’s Breakfast Palace while walking the streets of downtown Flagstaff. With a colorful board that read “The House That Chilaquiles Built,” I took a step inside.

The red and blue walls are covered in paintings from local artists and brown and black vinyl booths are accompanied with green and red chairs on the opposite of each table. The interior design was an experience itself.

Once seated, I realized ‘the house that chilaquiles built’ had more than just chilaquiles. Offering a breakfast, lunch and dinner menu ranging from eggs, burritos and french toast to nachos, ceviche and quesadillas, MartAnne’s has something for everyone to enjoy. It’s typical to find some type of meat or chicken in Mexican food but vegetarian and vegan options were available, making the restaurant more inclusive.

While browsing the menu for drinks, I immediately noticed they had horchata and knew no other drink could compete. If I’m ever at a Mexican restaurant I’ll always choose to drink horchata. Simply put, this sweet rice and milk beverage has always had a grip on me, I can’t explain why.

When it was brought out in a cute mason jar, I was intimidated by its size. It is enough for two people to enjoy, so I was a little nervous to take my first sip. Whenever I go to a restaurant that sells horchata, it’s always a hit or miss. Whether it’s because it tastes too much of cinnamon powder or is watered down because it’s made in large amounts, I was

worried it wouldn’t meet my expectations.

But, I was worried for no reason. It wasn’t too sweet or watered down, it was perfect. As a harsh critic of horchata, I was surprised it exceeded my expectations. Ranking it more enjoyable than the horchata sold at a Mexican food truck I would go to when I lived closer to Buckeye, the serving size suddenly seemed like the perfect amount.

As a huge fan of breakfast foods, I was overwhelmed by the choices. After taking a look at the options, I ordered MartAnne’s Burrito. This is made of three scrambled eggs, tomatoes, green onions, diced chilis and cheese. This meal also came with the option of adding meat, so I decided on adding chicken in my burrito. All of this was served with a side of rice, beans, hash browns and a flour tortilla.

When the server brought out a burrito almost the size of my head, I knew I’d be taking leftovers home. Every inch of the plate was covered with food.

Digging into my burrito with a fork and knife in hand, I was met with steaming ingredients mixed together. The first bite, despite burning my tongue, made me feel like I was back in San Luis Potosí, my dad’s hometown in Mexico, enjoying a meal with my family.

Some might say I’m biased towards Mexican food since it’s what I grew up with but I think it’s made me an experienced taste tester. Everything at MartAnne’s surpassed my expectations and I’d definitely recommend it to anyone looking to eat at a Mexican restaurant in Flagstaff.

As I left, I noticed a lot more people were waiting outside. If you ever find yourself wanting breakfast from MartAnne’s on the weekend, I’d recommend making a reservation to skip the morning rush.

Overall, MartAnne’s is the best Mexican restaurant I’ve dined at for breakfast in Flagstaff. Their lunch and dinner menu look amazing, but I’ll definitely be stopping by again for their breakfast.

The Artists’ Gallery fosters community among local creatives

CHLOE LEGAY

The Artists’ Gallery has been a presence in Flagstaff culture since its founding in 1992. While there is a plethora of galleries located downtown, The Artists’ Gallery stands out because of the creative community it facilitates.

The gallery, which is located on North San Francisco Street, hosts a variety of artists. These include works from local photographers, ceramicists, painters, jewelers and craftsmen.

Every month, the gallery features three artists whose work is shown in the window display. During the First Friday ArtWalk, visitors have the opportunity to meet the featured artists and ask questions about their work.

The artists for February included woodworker Eric Kruse who carves designs into reclaimed and recycled wood and ceramicist Chas Frisco who uses clay for his various creations like bowls, mugs and abstract sculptures.

Elias Marshall, the final featured artist, creates sculptures and wall art depicting scenery from the American southwest using copper and steel materials. Marshall joined the gallery over a year ago and said since then, he said he has improved his artistic skills.

“Being a member of a gallery where I’m actually selling fairly well has made me practice a lot more and hone my craft,” Marshall said. “I’m getting a lot better about it and more confident about selling.”

Marshall said he also benefited from building relationships with other artists in the gallery.

“There’s many different artists here and we all get to know each other,” Marshall said. “A few of the people here have acted as teachers or mentors, giving me advice on how to elevate my level of professionalism.”

Because of this experience, Marshall said he has accomplished many of his professional goals.

“My end goal is to be a full-time artist and I’m much further along the way with that than when I joined a year and a quarter ago because of some of the people who are members here who have been doing it longer and have given me good advice,” Marshall said.

The Artists’ Gallery fosters community between its artists. Silversmith Stephen Yazzie, who has been a member of the gallery for six years, said this is partly due to it being a coop.

“We all cooperate and divvy up running the gallery all together,” Yazzie said. “We don’t outsource people to market or run the gallery. We all have separate committees that the artists all join in.”

Yazzie said this structure not only lowers the cost of running the business, which in turn lowers the gallery’s commission price, but also encourages the artists to build strong relationships with each other.

By building these connections, artists have been able to create art together by using their different crafts.

“We’re running the gallery as a business but I think it goes a little deeper too,” Yazzie said. “We all watch over each other, and I think that’s why a lot of times the artists love to collaborate. When we get a new element to work with other artists, it opens a whole new door for opportunities.”

One of Yazzie’s responsibilities as a member of the co-op is to set up the jewelry displays.

Yazzie’s own work is displayed alongside the work of his father, Tom Yazzie. Both

artists create silver and turquoise jewelry influenced by their Diné heritage.

“I started at the gallery because I was introduced by my father. He did jewelry for a few years before I did,” Yazzie said. “He was already part of the gallery for about two to three years, and he said ‘hey you should join the gallery.’”

Another artist whose work can be found in the gallery is Sonja London-Hall, a sculptor who has been part of the gallery for 20 years. She uses glass and other materials to create different sculptures.

London-Hall said the late Stuart Wolf, who founded Flagstaff Art in the Park encouraged her to join the gallery.

“He recognized talent and supported developing artists all over Flagstaff,” LondonHall said. “The gallery has been a huge support and home base as a local. The gallery gave me courage to try new things and branch out.”

Since joining The Artists’ Gallery, she has gained national recognition for her art. London-Hall, also an educator, encourages creativity amongst her students.

“I encourage everyone to follow their creative instincts.” London-Hall said. “Art is fulfilling. Art is community. Art is necessary.”

For over two decades, The Artists’ Gallery has been a staple to Flagstaff’s art scene. By providing a supportive environment for local artists to enhance their craft, the gallery represents the town’s value of being a hub for creativity and community.

MARIAN HERNANDEZ ASSISTANT CULTURE EDITOR

A display of postcards stands in The Artists’ Gallery in downtown Flagstaff, Feb. 3.

Chloe Legay | The Lumberjack

Jewelry artist Stephen Yazzie poses for a portrait with a display case of his work in The Artists’ Gallery during the First Friday ArtWalk, Feb. 3. Yazzie has been a member of the gallery for six years. Chloe Legay | The Lumberjack

Reviewing the downtown bar scene

MADISEN STAATS

Abar crawl in downtown Flagstaff can be hit or miss. The Flagstaff bar scene can be overwhelming to new barhoppers. There are many bars to choose from, and bar crawls can dissolve if there is not proper planning.

The right people and the right bars are essential to a successful bar crawl. In planning a bar crawl, there are a few tips I’ve come to learn that will lead to a noteworthy night out.

Tip #1: You must pick the right drinking partners. If you have to basically force your friends to come with, the bar crawl will likely fizzle out by the second bar.

Tip #2: Plan your destinations beforehand. Downtown Flagstaff is divided by train tracks and a successful bar crawl does not typically cross the tracks multiple times.

My crawl destinations included Cornish Pasty Co., FORAM, The Corner Tavern, The Monte V and Collin’s Irish Pub & Grill. I chose Cornish and The Monte V because I have had many fun nights there, and FORAM, The Corner and Collin’s because they provide a more classic college bar experience.

Tip #3 (Possibly the most important): Pace yourself. Starting slow ensures you can make it all the way to the final destination and avoid an emergency Lyft.

I met my friends at Cornish Pasty Co. on a Friday night. Cornish is Flagstaff’s metal bar and a regular spot among our group.

Start of the night: Cornish Pasty Co.

In line with tip #3, I started the night with a Pabst Blue Ribbon tall boy. Cornish has an extensive seasonal cocktail list, including drinks like the Sleigh Ride Margarita and the Winter Limeade (my personal favorite).

They also have a large food menu, all made from scratch. They serve traditional English food, including pasties and Scotch eggs. It is important to eat food before a long night of drinking. I ordered the tomato soup and caesar salad to prepare me for the night ahead.

Cornish’s best features include the free pool tables, the fireplace on the patio and the hardcore music blasting from the speakers. This bar attracts a wide variety of people, bringing together restaurant industry workers, Greek life students and alternative music enjoyers.

The downfall of this bar is its popularity. I have been turned away at the door many times because they were over capacity. Getting a pool table was nearly impossible.

It was crowded the night of our crawl and we were anxious to go to the next bar.

The

new club: FORAM Bar Grill and Nightclub

Located right next door, FORAM opened its doors December 2022. FORAM is both a bar, grill and nightclub, with disco lights and a big dance floor. There are also two free pool tables and a good amount of seating. We were excited to visit FORAM because it is often busy and people inside seem to be having a good time.

It was a slow night, so the dance floor was empty. The small crowd was mostly college aged boys playing pool.

This bar was a bit of a letdown. There is usually a line outside the door when I pass it, so I expected a little more.

One positive of this bar was the drinks. They have an extensive list of specialty drinks. I had a raspberry pina colada slush, which was topped with whipped cream, sprinkles and a cherry. Alcohol infused slushes are a rare drink to find in Flagstaff, and it is a tasty choice if you want a sweet drink.

Though we caught it on a bad night, we plan to return and can see it gaining popularity.

We stayed for about 30 minutes and decided it was time to move to the next bar. The worst part of a Flagstaff winter bar crawl is the walking. As we tried to shuffle to the next bar, the train blocked our passage for four freezing minutes.

We stopped in the closest bar when the train passed, The Corner Tavern, which is another recently-opened bar.

Crossing the tracks: The Corner Tavern

The Corner Tavern is located on the corner of East Route 66 and North San Francisco Street, which is prime real estate in downtown. The bar was incredibly packed.

I tend not to go to this bar because I’m not a fan of the music playing most nights — which is current Top 40 hits — and how the bar is set up. Yet, it seems to be a favorite for many college students. The bar is usually filled with people, creating a large line outside. Luckily, there was no line when we got there.

There is a poor use of space, with bar top tables jutting out into the dance floor. The bright lighting is another downfall.

When we arrived, the patrons were singing karaoke. I am usually a fan of karaoke, but the host refused to let me sing “The Metro” by Berlin, so we left shortly after.

I didn’t stay long enough to get a drink, but they are famous for their Mega Mules. You must have at least two people to order a Mega Mule which is served in a comically large copper mug.

As we were leaving, “Mr. Brightside” played, so we were obligated to dance before exiting. Once the song finished, we headed to one of my favorite Flagstaff bars.

The historic: The Monte Vista Cocktail Lounge

The Monte V is located in the basement of the Hotel Monte Vista. It was the first speakeasy in Flagstaff and served bootleg alcohol until it was raided in 1931. Nowadays, it provides karaoke singers and local bands a stage.

Immediately after entering, a white board states the daily specials. There is a different special every night and it has encouraged me to try many new drinks, including a Long Beach Iced Tea and many local Flagstaff brews.

The main attraction at The Monte V is the live music. On Tuesday and Thursday they host karaoke, but on Friday DJ Kip Killagain was spinning classic hip-hop vinyl.

The venue was more than halfway full, and most people were dancing. At one point, Killagain encouraged everyone to turn to their friends and tell them you love them.

2 a.m. was quickly approaching, so we eventually moved to our last destination.

The classic college bar: Collin’s Irish Pub & Grill

Collin’s was the only bar where we encountered a line. Yet, we were still able to get in within a reasonable amount of time.

I have a love-hate relationship with Collin’s; I am not a fan of the music they play, but I can still have fun dancing with my friends.

Collin’s is a large bar with an arcade, two different areas to order drinks and a big dance floor. The arcade games are pay-to-play, including the pool tables.

The best part of Collin’s is the $10 Irish Trashcan, which is vodka, gin, rum, blue curacao, triple sec and peach schnapps in a 32 ounce mug, topped with a Red Bull. This is a low-cost drink but people should be aware of its high alcohol content and drink responsibly.

Bar crawls are meant to be fun, but there will always be danger associated with drinking alcohol. Many bars, like Collin’s, The Corner and Monte V offer an angel shot, which is ordered by someone that doesn’t feel safe and needs help. Bartenders and other staff will do what they can to get a person ordering an angel shot home safe.

The night ended with chicken tacos from Collin’s late night food stand outside. They are the best chicken tacos I have had in Flagstaff.

Everyone in my group had been drinking, so we ordered a Lyft to take us home, which was only $7, a low price to pay for a safe way home.

The final tip for a bar crawl is do not drink and drive. There is always another way to get home.

Overall, the best places of the night were The Monte V and Collin’s, but each bar has its strong suit, depending on the kind of atmosphere you’re looking for. Cornish, FORAM and Rendezvous are good for a chill night with friends, but if you want the experience of a high-energy bar with a dance floor, I’d recommend The Corner, The Monte V and Collin’s.

FORAM is a newly opened nightclub in downtown Flagstaff. Inside you are greeted with club lights, big screens, music and more, Feb. 11. Alesia Hurtado | The Lumberjack

Inside FORAM groups play pool, drink and talk amongst each other, Feb. 11. Alesia Hurtado | The Lumberjack

CULTURE

BAGELS continued from FRONT

Quiroz herself was a regular before she began working at Biff’s one month ago.

“I would come here every single Sunday,” Quiroz said. “Everyone here was always nice, and I could see they were LGBTQ-friendly, which made me feel comfortable.”

What many students who rely on Biff’s may not know is how multifaceted its operation is. On top of baking enough bagels for themselves on a typical day, they provide bagels to other shops around town, including Kickstand Kafé, Bookmans and Campus Coffee Bean.

Kristina MacFarlane is the front of house manager at Biff’s Bagels. She said the typical prep shift begins at 5 a.m. The 60-gallon bagel kettle takes 30 minutes to heat up, and then the baker can begin to boil the bagels for the shift.

“Basically, just boil it until it’s soft as a baby’s butt,” MacFarlane said. “Then you just toss them on the trays, they bake in the oven for about 25 minutes, and then they’re just amazing and perfect.”

Most dough has to be proofed for 24 hours, so the person working the prep shift must also make dough throughout the day to prepare for the following day.

“The bakers have got to be on top of the dough, because all the different doughs are at different levels of proofing throughout whatever shift [they] might be baking for,” MacFarlane said. “On a day like Saturday in the middle of summer, they’re pretty much at the kettle all day long.”

Summer is Biff’s busy season, they usually get what MacFarlane calls “a winter lull.” In addition to locals and students who stay in town during summer, the shop gets a lot of tourism traffic.

This year, though, she said she is not sure a winter lull is coming.

“Because of the mountain, we get a lot of ski traffic, which is fun because they come in and order their breakfast, but then they also order their lunch,” MacFarlane said. “So it’s a bunch of really big orders.”

At the same time, this past summer, the line was almost always out the door and around the corner to Brew and Cues next door.

Quiroz said it struck her that everything — namely, the cream cheese, hummus and bagels — was made from scratch when she started working at Biff’s.

“I guess I should have known because they taste so good,” Quiroz said. “When I started working here and I saw how much work goes into just one day at Biff’s, it’s kind of insane that we’re able to pull that off.”

In the future, Biff’s fans can look forward to potential expansion.

“We just bought a food truck,” Postlewait said. “We haven’t done anything with it yet, but we’re trying to find a home base for it.”

He said they are looking into expanding into a warmer climate soon; Sedona and Phoenix are contenders. Until then, Biff’s Bagels remains a Flagstaff exclusive experience, available only to lucky tourists, locals and students.

First Friday tradition celebrates local artists

On the first Friday of every month, locals gather in downtown Flagstaff to support art galleries, restaurants and shops and to enjoy live music. The ArtWalk, hosted from 6-9 p.m., is a collaboration between vendors and restaurants that invites visitors to explore exhibits and support local businesses and creators.

Beginning in downtown’s Heritage Square, participants can find maps that showcase the various galleries, shops, bars and restaurants that open their doors for First Friday events. Many participating businesses reside within a block of the square.

One stop on the map, a co-op gallery by the name of The Artist’s Gallery, is responsible for originating First Friday traditions nearly 30 years ago.

Stephen Yazzie, a Navajo silversmith and painter, gave insight to the history behind the tradition.

“What it was really, was the artists coming together, amongst themselves, and just talking about their art,” Yazzie said. “They would start staying open a little bit longer, and sometimes the crowds would come in and they would meet the artists every first Friday.”

As more people began to attend, other galleries downtown opened at the same time until eventually, First Friday grew into the event it is today.

Joni Pevarnik, founding member and current manager of The Artists’ Gallery, also shared some of the history behind the event.

“A woman named Patty Ortiz started it probably 23 years ago,” Pevarnik said. “It was just a small little event and there were probably four little galleries involved. We had to push the plan and let the community know about it and it has just grown and grown and grown, and now, starting up from a few little galleries and us promoting it, the whole downtown is really involved in it.”

Although the event started with only one gallery, more than 20 businesses now participate in First Friday.

Sonja London-Hall, a glass and mixed-media artist, was part of the team that promoted the event in the hopes more people would become involved.

“A group of galleries got together via [The Artists’ Gallery’s] leadership at the time and created a handmade map for locals to enjoy,’’ London-Hall said. “West of the Moon Gallery and Arizona Handmade are also a big part of Art Walk.”

Pevarnik also mentioned West of the Moon Gallery and Arizona Handmade when discussing the growth of the live music scene at First Friday events.

“Sometimes Ed Kabotie plays, who is a very loved musician in this community, because he’s one of our artists,” Pevarnik said. “Another one of our artists, Elias Marshall, plays music as well.”

Other local bands such as Happiness Brigade and NAU Faculty Jazz had the opportunity to perform at Fire on the Mountain Gallery and Flagstaff Brewing Company.

With hours more accessible to the public, First Friday is centered around art and the artists that run the galleries.

“First Friday is an opportunity for galleries to feature their works and their artists with hours open past the regular day,” London-Hall said. “It is well known in town as an event. It is important because our local artists and art are the focus. The City of Flagstaff, Creative

Flagstaff, East Side Art Experience and The Artists Coalition of Flagstaff are all important arts supporters and groups in our town.”

Many artists involved in these events have grown up in Flagstaff, its surrounding areas or have lived in the area for a number of years.

London-Hall has been a Flagstaff resident for nearly 30 years and a participating member of the gallery for 20 of those years.

With most of the artists calling northern Arizona their home, the influences of this area can be seen in much of the artwork on display.

“Just being in northern Arizona, the colors of the desert areas and the beautiful blue skies up there have really gotten into my psyche and those are the colors I use in my cups and my bowls,” Pevarnik said.

Yazzie often uses rocks and minerals found in northern Arizona as the focus of his jewelry, with the most common being royston turquoise.

“I love royston because it has a little vein through it,” Yazzie said. “To me it always looks like a bird’s eye view of a river going through a canyon.”

Events like First Friday are a great way to bring community members together and promote local businesses.

“WHAT IT WAS REALLY, WAS THE ARTISTS COMING TOGETHER, AMONGST THEMSELVES, AND JUST TALKING ABOUT THEIR ART. THEY WOULD START STAYING OPEN A LITTLE BIT LONGER, AND SOMETIMES THE CROWDS WOULD COME IN AND THEY WOULD MEET THE ARTISTS EVERY FIRST FRIDAY.”

Pevarnik discussed the freedom of artists to create and collaborate with each other, influencing and strengthening the sense of community in Flagstaff.

“Artists work together and they often influence each other,” Pevarnik said. “I often see painters working with each other and helping each other out. It’s a great place for growth if you want to really flourish as an artist.”

While it may not be the heart of the Flagstaff art community, First Friday is an excellent way for the community to get involved in the art scene downtown.

“It’s a great opportunity for people to enjoy each other and almost have a street party and meet the artists that work in the gallery,” Pevarnik said. “Oftentimes many of our artists are there for that evening. It’s a very ‘party’ atmosphere and people are dressed up and they get to integrate with the artists and have a one-on-one to get to know us a little bit.”

Although it started as a way for artists to find time to share their artwork with each other, First Friday has now grown into a community event that allows community members to discover the art scene of Flagstaff while enjoying a night out downtown.

Observers view art in the Phoenix Avenue Gallery, a popular spot on the First Friday ArtWalk, Feb. 3. This event takes place on the first friday evening of every month, during which galleries and other businesses feature special events and sales in order to highlight local artists. Chloe Legay | The Lumberjack

ABBEY SOBELMAN

– Stephen Yazzie, Navajo silversmith and painter

Liminal Cafe and Community Center hosts INTERFERENCE SERIES

Top: A full house watches a jazz performance from guitarist John Stowell, accompanied by bassist Chris Finet and drummer Rob Wallace, at Liminal Flagstaff, Feb. 8. Left: Bassist Chris Finet and drummer Rob Wallace of the Interference Series, an experimental music collective, perform at Liminal Flagstaff, Feb. 8. Chloe Legay | The Lumberjack

Left: Jazz guitarist John Stowell, hosted by the experimental music collective “Interference Series,” peforms at Liminal Flagstaff, Feb 8. John Stowell is a world renowned musician known for the unique, diagonal-positioned way he holds his guitar. Top: Audience members watch a jazz performance at Liminal Flagstaff, Feb. 8.

Bottom: A barista serves a latte during John Stowell’s jazz guitar performance at Liminal Flagstaff, Feb 8. Liminal Flagstaff is a café and community center that serves a variety of specialty drinks, including this matcha latte with raspberry flavoring called the “Goth Treat.” Chloe Legay | The Lumberjack

What pure dominance looks like

Back in 2009, Penn State University wrestling hired a coach that would boost this team quickly. Cael Sanderson’s dominance as a wrestler came before any of his other accomplishments. Later, Cael’s coaching career began at his alma mater, Iowa State University.

In his three years as head coach, his team placed within the top five each year. Additionally, each year all 10 wrestlers qualified for the NCAA tournament. Then he started the dynasty of Penn State.

The immediate impact Cael had on the Nittany Lions program was amazing. In his first season, he led them to a ninth-place finish at the NCAA tournament. Also in that tournament, he finished with three allAmericans including a national finalist. But this was only the beginning of the dynasty to come.

Penn State had many names on that roster in 2010-11, including Ed Ruth, David Taylor and Frank Molinaro. The Nittany Lions won their first national championship under Cael. As the head coach that season he led them to the school’s firstever Big Ten championship, was named Big Ten and Big 12 coach of the year and won Penn State its first national championship since 1953.

Since being under Cael Sanderson, the Nittany Lions have won nine out of the last eleven national championships as a team, while producing many national champions as well as All-Americans too.

Along with always having a loaded team, Cael has produced 17 national champions. Many of them being multiple-time champs, 32 of the national titles have been won by the same 17 people.

There have been three separate wrestlers to acquire three national championships: Jason Nolf, Bo Nickal and Zain Rethorford. There are also current Nittany Lions that are close to that mark as well, each with two titles currently: Roman Bravo-Young, Carter Starocci and Aaron Brooks.

In the 2022-23 season, the Nittany Lions are still as dominant as ever, and as a team, still sit at No. 1 in the country. Their most recent team victory was over the No. 2 team in the country, the Iowa Hawkeyes. Penn State won that duel 23-14.

This was a heavy dual for both teams with a total of 18 ranked wrestlers. There were many big matches that showed us insight into the battle that will go down at the NCAA tournament in March. It will be a battle between Penn State and Iowa to see who can take home the national championship this year.

Penn State’s reign doesn’t seem to be coming to a stop anytime soon with the dominance this team is showing. The Nittany Lions have nine out of the ten weight classes ranked in the country as of right now and look strong coming into the tournament. Cael’s and the Nittany Lions’ dominance will continue and he will go down as a coaching legend.

Left: Sophomore forward guard Olivia Moran (22) leaps for the rebound during the Big Sky Conference against Eastern Washington University at the Findlay Toyota Court, Feb. 16.

Gwen Costello | The Lumberjack

Right: Freshman Christian Mutengela jumps over the pole during one of his attempts at the high jump on Findlay Toyota Field, Feb. 17. Mutengela finished in fifth place with the mark of 1.83 meters.

Victoria Medina | The Lumberjack

Bottom: Sophomore guard Trent McLaughlin (24) leans on his teammate, graduate student Xavier Fuller (2), after the referees approve Portland State’s final shot before the buzzer went off at the end of the game at Findlay Toyota Court, Feb. 11. With the referees’ approval, Portland State beat NAU by one point with the final score being 87-88.

Victoria Medina | The Lumberjack

Scheffler wins back-to-back Waste Management Opens

On the weekend of Feb. 10-12, Scottdale held its annual Waste Management Open. The event is considered one of the biggest golf tournaments on the PGA Tour. It usually brings in numerous celebrities and over 700,000 total attendees over the four days the tournament takes place.

Day one of the tournament was exciting. It started with a frost delay on the course which pushed back all the tee times and affected the rest of the tournament. On the first day, there were some exciting moments as Jason Day finished day one shooting six under par, which is a great way to start out the tournament.

Another notable mention was John Rahm who finished -3 on the day. Scottie Sheffler, last year’s winner, also finished -3.

Another big storyline from day one was the two Canadians: Nick Taylor and Adam Hadwin who finished -5 on day one right behind Day.

Day two was a whirlwind of a round, as many people were trying to make the cut. Some notable names that eventually got cut on day two were Tommy Fleetwood, Patrick Cantlay, Colin Morikawa and Francesco Molinari.

Some of the best rounds of the day were Jordan Speith shooting -8 on the day and launching his way up the leaderboards near the top. Scheffler proved why he is one of the best in the world and shot a -7. Rory McIlroy shot four under to end up making the cut. McIlroy also went on to average the longest drive distance in the tournament, which is remarkable to watch considering his smaller stature compared to other golfers.

Another big group of the day was Justin Thomas, Sahith

Theegala and Phoenix local Joel Dahman. Thomas shot -3 while Theegala, the story of last year’s tournament, shot -1. Dahman shot -3 to keep up with Thomas, but because he shot so poorly on day one, he was only at -1 and barely made the day two cut.

Day three was delayed again because the final groups of day two had to finish their rounds. When day three did start, Sam Burns shot -7 and propelled himself into the top ten.

Scheffler continued to lead the leaderboard by shooting -3, however, Taylor and Jon Rahm were right on his tail setting themselves up for an amazing final round.

Rickie Fowler, another former winner, shot -4 trying to keep up with the leaders and setting himself up to make a late push.

On day four, Super Bowl Sunday, the groups were set and the ones to watch were the leaders: Scheffler, Taylor and Rahm. Rahm tried to stay with them, but later fell behind and never neer caught up. He finished at -3 on the day and -14 in total. It then became a two-horse race between Taylor and Scheffler.

Going into the final day, Taylor was down two strokes and already had ground to make up. In the end he was unable to do so, finishing at -17 overall and -6 on the day. Scheffler finished -6 as well on the day and shot a -19 overall, securing the win. Scheffler is now a back-to-back winner of the tournament after winning the Waste Management Open in 2022.

Another performance to note was Thomas, who finished fourth after shooting -6 on the day and ending at -13 overall. Beau Hossler, who was even heading into the last day, shot -8 and moved to 14th place. Scheffler’s performance also moved him up to No. 1 in the world, putting him past McIlroy.

Lumberjacks in ACTION

BRANDON HURLEY

TONY MIELE WRITER

Photo Courtesy of Brandon Hurley

Hockey may see the Fieldhouse soon

The NAU D2 hockey team, better known as the IceJacks, practically sold out their game against ASU at the Jay Lively Activity Center on Jan. 28. The IceJacks gave the home crowd plenty to cheer about as they bested ASU 3-1 in a physical game on the ice. The IceJacks were impressive, but even more so was the atmosphere surrounding the game.

Fans packed Jay Lively to the brim to watch the IceJacks. Every hit against the boards was accompanied with a collective groan or cheer from the crowd. Every score was followed by a roar strong enough to rumble the innards of the activity center. Though the activity center pales in comparison to the J. Lawrence Walkup Skydome, it does not fail to deliver the same intensity and fan experience as the IceJacks’ former home.

Now the IceJacks are hoping that the completion of a new home is on the horizon. For several years there have been plans to build an ice rink in the University Union Fieldhouse. Original concept designs were released prior to 2020, but the pandemic slowed any progress as the Fieldhouse was used as a COVID-19 testing facility. Now that the Fieldhouse has been opened back up for wider use, the hope is further progress can be made to bring the IceJacks to campus.

NAU hockey director and D2 head coach Kris Walsh said there is work being done to get boards and glass in the fieldhouse within the next three to four months. Though Walsh could not guarantee the facilities would be completed in time for next season, but expressed optimism that the project could be completed in time for the 2024 season.

An on-campus ice rink has been a dream for many students over the past few years. As mentioned before, unprecedented circumstances led to the project being delayed even further than it had already been. However, prior to that the rink was scheduled to be completed in 2018. At the time the reason for such a delay seemed to be due to a lack of funding from both the club team and the university. Former writer for The Lumberjack Johnny Crane reported in 2020 the stalling of the project also led outside donors to shy away from contributing. Now funding does not appear to be an issue according to Walsh. Rather, one of the biggest issues keeping the project at bay is the installation of a chiller to keep the fieldhouse cold enough for the rink.

The most recent plan included the addition of a lowtemperature chiller to serve as the refrigeration equipment to create the ice within the Fieldhouse.

Crane also reported the North Plant next to the Fieldhouse was being retrofitted for this equipment. Including supply and return lines between the plant and the Fieldhouse that would allow for proper temperatures in the building.

The reason for concern is the university has not shown any progress toward installing the chiller. This part of the project was stalled in 2020, and there has been no word on when exactly work will resume.

Thomas Eberly, the associate vice president of Campus

Operations at NAU, has stated there are no specific dates as to the progression of the project.

“We are still in the planning stages for the Fieldhouse improvement project and are waiting on new information from an engineering study that should help to inform our path forward,” Eberly said.

Though there is reason to hope there will be progress in the near future.

Walsh did confirm there is work being done to get the equipment needed for the rink. There is also an ever-growing voice around campus that wants an ice rink closer to home. A petition was started recently to show support for the project. The petition currently has just under 2,000 signatures and gains more support every day. Walsh also stressed that it is now up to the students and community to push for the finalization of the project.

What may come of it

If NAU does indeed complete construction of an on-campus ice rink, the entire community would be thankful.

Jay Lively Activity Center, the current home of the IceJacks, is approximately three miles from campus. It is a 10-minute drive if the roads are clear of ice and snow, which during hockey season, can not always be promised. Club games are also at the mercy of the other youth and high school teams who share the rink. Those games and practices are usually earlier in the evening, meaning NAU games do not start at least until 8 p.m. on most weekends, if not later. The late start times mean it is harder for students to attend games who do not own vehicles.

The same goes for players. The commute between campus and Jay Lively can be a struggle for those who do not have a vehicle or have to risk being late for practice and classes.

NAU play-by-play analyst Tony Bracha believes an on-campus rink could also provide a boost for the program.

“An on-campus rink that is more designed for crowds would be huge for the popularity of the team,” Bracha said.

The team is already popular amongst the crowd that regularly attends Jay Lively for youth and high school games, but reasons listed before limit the team’s exposure on campus.

“The way that the program could progress [when the rink is completed] could be astronomical,” Bracha said.

An ice rink on campus would eliminate the hassle, but also add more opportunities for campus recreation. Hockey would not be the only event at the Fieldhouse. A rink would allow for more on-campus activities such as skating lessons, intramurals, public ice skating, shuffleboard and so much more for those interested in hitting the ice.

When the project does come to fruition, one can only imagine the crowds that D2 and D3 hockey will draw. Jay Lively can fit around 300 people, but the Fieldhouse is expected to hold at least 1,500, if not more. The fans of NAU hockey have already shown how loud they can get at Jay Lively. Add to that a bigger crowd and a fresh ice rink in the Union Fieldhouse and NAU hockey may compete for the most popular sport in town.

The Dunk Contest is back

To put it simply, Mac McClung brought the NBA Dunk Contest back from the dead.

NOTABLE LUMBERJACKS:

NOAH BUTLER SPORTS EDITOR

After multiple lackluster contests filled with missed dunks and disappointing judging, the 2023 dunk contest in Salt Lake City revived a competition that had fallen from grace.

There have been plenty of historical moments in the contest, like Dominique Wilkins beating rookie Michael Jordan in 1988 and the iconic 2016 contest that saw Zach Lavine and Aaron Gordon slamming spectacular dunk after spectacular dunk.

However, for every good contest there must be a bad one. Much like the 2005 event that saw Chris “Birdman” Anderson consistently fail routine dunks and bring down the overall “shine” of the event. Amar’e Stoudemire was excellent though.

The 2021 showcase, which featured the likes of Anfernee Simons, Obi Toppin and Cassius Stanley, was probably the most underwhelming event in recent years.

First things first, what the fans want to see in these types of events is star power. While these three are encouraging young talent, minus Stanley, they were not the superstars everyone wanted to see.

As noted before, names like Jordan and Wilkins competed in the event at a time when they were both superstars. What’s to say that we can’t see Ja Morant or Zion Williamson throw down some dunks?

Another thing that makes the dunk contest enjoyable is the creativity employed to make some interesting dunks. This is also something the 2021 contest lacked, and the competitors all performed basic dunks that greatly undermined their actual dunking skills.

A prime example of this is Stanley’s first dunk of the contest; a catch off the backboard into a between the legs jam. Now to a regular person this dunk is very cool, but to anyone who has watched what can happen at a contest like this, it is very lackluster.

In 2008, Gerald Green pulled off what is arguably one of the most inventive dunks in the contest’s history. Green, who had a habit of flying high above the rim in actual games, decided to put a cupcake with a lit candle in it on the back of the rim.

He then proceeded to jump so his head was at rim level, blow out the candle and slam the lob home.

What the 2023 contest lacked in potential, it made up for in creative and memorable dunks.

The four man set of Jericho Sims, Trey Murphy III, K.J. Martin and Mac McClung was arguably one of the more unknown sets of dunkers, but each competitor made his name remembered in some fashion.

McClung, a staple of Ballislife tapes in the late 2010s, would elevate his name to the highest degree.

He finished with three (nearly four) perfect score dunks and only one judge, Lisa Leslie, would stop him from his fourth.

His opening dunk set the tone of the whole event and essentially clinched the title for him straight off the bat.

He dunked over a person sitting on another’s shoulders, and for extra effect, tapped the ball on the backboard before finishing the jam.

This historic victory by a relatively unknown player had everyone in shock. With him coming back next year, I foresee multiple All-Star caliber players joining the ranks just to dethrone McClung.

NATHAN ECKER

An ice rink may be built inside the University Union Fieldhouse for NAU’s Club Hockey and many other campus recreations, Feb. 9.

Alesia Hurtado | The Lumberjack

NAU Football Recruiting: Let’s Meet The Recruits

NOAH BUTLER

NAU football is going to see a massive turnover in the 2023-24 season. The entire recruiting/transfer class of 2023 was released on Feb. 1, including 26 new members to the Lumberjack gridiron squad.

Each of these players has some sort of backstory or reason as to why they were recruited to NAU, whether that be their accolades in high school or their want for playing time at an up-and-coming Big Sky school.

Let’s start recruiting season off strong by taking a look at all of the new Lumberjacks you may see on the field next season.

Daniel Britt [5’11, 185 | QB | Las Vegas, NV / Montana]

Britt, former quarterback at Big Sky rival Montana, announced his commitment to NAU after entering the transfer portal in late December. In his brief career at Montana, he passed for 323 total yards and three touchdowns and ran the ball 35 times for 195 yards. Britt showcased his dual-threat ability during his time at Montana. This offseason, the Grizzlies acquired multiple quarterbacks, which may have prompted Britt to move to Flagstaff.

He came out of Liberty High School in Las Vegas as a two-star prospect, and led his team to the 4A State title in 2019 after knocking off Nevada powerhouse Bishop Gorman in the semifinals. 2019 was Britt’s junior year, a season where he tallied 1,636 yards and 18 touchdowns through the air with only one interception. On the ground, he ran 102 times for 791 yards and two touchdowns.

In terms of awards, Britt was the recipient of not only the Team MVP, but also the State Championship MVP in 2019. He also won the “Don’t Doubt Me,” or comeback player of the year award that same year. Britt won these awards in Nevada’s 4A division, the top division in the state.

Montana’s Head Coach Bobby Hauck had high praise for Britt in an interview with Montana Athletics

“Daniel is a true dual-threat quarterback.” Hauck said, “He runs well, he throws it well and the words that come to mind when I see him are toughness and competitiveness. He was injured as a junior for four games and his team went 0-4. But he came back and they went 10-0 from there and won the Nevada State Championship, which is a big deal because they beat Bishop Gorman in the semifinal, who hadn’t lost a Nevada High School game in about 10 years. So, we’re excited for Daniel to join the program.”

Britt’s stats and accolades are all well reflected in his hudl highlight tape from 2019. There are multiple clips of him dicing up the defense with his passing skills, but also on the ground. One play that stood out is one where he scrambles out of the pocket to avoid the pass rush, and takes the ball with a full head of steam to the house. This play is made notable by a collision that resulted in an opposing defender going flying out of bounds.

At NAU, Britt will be a strong competitor for the starting quarterback position, alongside fellow transfer Kai Millner and Lumberjack sophomore Angel Flores.

Kai Millner [6’2, 215 | QB | Gilbert, AZ / Cal.]

Millner, like Britt, was a backup, however, Millner came from a PAC-12 school in the University of California Berkeley, or simply Cal. He made three appearances as a backup to Jake Plummer last season, with his best game coming in a blowout loss to Oregon. Millner passed only 10 times, completing eight of them for 114 yards and two touchdowns.

He came out of high school as a four-star recruit, and was among the top ten recruits in Arizona in 2020. In his junior year, Millner passed for 2,387 yards and 31 touchdowns while also running for seven additional touchdowns. He faced tough competition in Arizona’s second-highest division, 5A, and finished 4-5 in his final season.

ESPN ranked Millner as the No. 3 recruit in Arizona for the 2020-21 season and gave him a four-star recruiting rating. On top of that, Millner was named to the preseason All-American team prior to his senior season.

Besides playing quarterback, Millner also played punter, pinning opponents within the 20-yard line on six occasions. He punted the ball only thirty times in his high school career for 882 yards, leading to an average punt of 29.4 yards.

Out of all the recruits covered this week, Millner probably is the most eye-popping. His junior year hudl tape shows him launching the ball downfield with Mahomeslike arm strength into small windows. The Mahomes comparison does not end there, however, as Millner also had many plays where he had to make something out of nothing and lead his team to a first down.

Multiple clips showed him converting first downs with pinpoint accurate passes set up by his mobility in the pocket. One of these plays came in his final prep football season senior year.

Again drawing more comparison to Mahomes, Millner capped off a Chilly Bowl MVP performance with a backward over-the-head pass to complete a two-point conversion. He finished with 271 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions on 27-of-34 passes for a 130.9 quarterback rating and two rushing touchdowns on two carries.

Just like Britt, Millner will compete for the starting job, although with his unique skill set we may see coaches draw some interesting plays up that involve both of them.

Devon Starling [6’1, 210 | RB | Nashville, Tenn. / Tennessee St.]

Starling is transferring to his third school in four years after spending one season at the University of Memphis and the past two at FCS school Tennessee State. He starred as a member of the Tigers, rushing for 1,987 yards and seven touchdowns. Starling had 56 receptions for 543 yards and one touchdown during his time with Tennessee State

His stardom as a running back started in high school at Cane Ridge in Nashville. In his senior season with the Ravens, he rushed for 2,159 yards and 25 touchdowns. 247Sports and ESPN both ranked him as a two-star prospect, and he was recruited by Memphis, Tennessee Tech and Austin Peay as well as other FCS schools.

His hudl highlight tape from his senior season showcases his skills as a running back with elite speed. Nearly every clip shows him slicing through defenses with blistering speed and gaining large chunks of yards in the process.

Starling also played return man in some instances, and one of the more notable clips shows him recovering a short field goal and returning it for a touchdown.

Starling will slot perfectly into the NAU lineup on day one, working closely alongside junior Draycen Hall to provide explosiveness to the Lumberjack backfield.

Ethan Kramer [6’5, 305 | OL | Colorado Springs, Colo. / Northern Colorado]

Krikour Koustanian [6’3, 300 | OL | Aleppo, Syria / Northern Colorado]

Kramer and Koustanian will shore up an NAU offensive line that took some big hits this offseason with the graduation/departures of Jonas Leader and PJ Poutasi. The blocking duo from Big Sky rival Northern Colorado will fit in nicely with a relatively young group of linemen.

Koustanian played primarily the guard position and Kramer the tackle. The duo helped the Bears rank 15th in the nation by allowing only 1.18 sacks per game.

Jeremiah Trojan [6’2, 219 | LB | Chandler, AZ / UCLA]

Another transfer from a PAC-12 school, Trojan finds himself a new home in Flagstaff after spending two seasons on UCLA’s active roster. The redshirt sophomore saw very limited time as a Bruin and was mainly a reserve.

In high school, however, Trojan was an electric player. In 2019, he accumulated 97 tackles, 10 of which were tackles for loss and five were sacks. In his prep football career, spanning from 2017-2019, he posted 211 tackles, 19 tackles for losses as well as seven sacks.

The Hamilton Huskies, who also play in Arizona’s top division in 6A, made the semifinals of the playoffs when Trojan was the starter there.

His hudl highlight tape, much like the other recruits on the list, shows just how dominant he was in high school. 247Sports, ESPN and Rivals all gave Trojan a three-

star rating. Clips from his senior season show him getting off the line with blistering speed and making the offensive line have to adjust, which did not always work out in their favor. He also showed his ability to read the running back and adjust himself accordingly so he could make the tackle in the backfield.

Trojan should fit in nicely with an NAU defense that is in need of run stopping linebackers. He will be an elite competitor come spring ball and a welcome addition to the Lumberjack family.

BJ Wagner [6’0, 200 | DB | Orlando, FL / Western Kentucky]

Wagner, coming from an FBS school in Western Kentucky, entered the transfer portal in early December 2022. In the nine games he played as a Hilltopper, he posted 13 tackles — one for a loss, as well as a single interception coming against Hawai’i

The redshirt sophomore came out of high school a three-star prospect according to 247Sports. He was also recruited by Louisville, Missouri, Rutgers and West Virginia before committing to WKU.

As a four-year starter on the Orlando Christian Prep Warriors, Wagner accumulated 166 tackles, seven interceptions and 4.5 tackles for losses. He also played receiver, snagging 89 catches for 1,354 yards and 20 touchdowns over the course of his career.

In his senior season, Wagner helped guide his team to the playoffs, but it ended in a first-round exit.

His hudl highlight tape shows flashes of what could be an elite defensive back. Wagner possesses the ability to see where the quarterback is looking and multiple clips back that up. He also hits like a truck, laying multiple players out hard enough to cough up the football.

It will be interesting to see how Wagner fits into an NAU defense with many defensive backs already on the roster, but his previous experience in FBS football may help propel him into the starting lineup.

Shawn Dourseau [5’11,187 | DB | Perris, CA / East Carolina]

A junior out of East Carolina, another FBS school, Dourseau comes to NAU as one of their most experienced transfers. In his three seasons as a Pirate, he played 31 games, racking up 121 total tackles, one sack, one pick and one forced fumble. Dourseau primarily played as a second-unit player, but in 2021 he made four starts for the Pirates and recorded the lone interception of his career against South Florida. That play was also highlighted on ESPN’s top plays of the day segment of SportsCenter.

He came out of Citrus Hill High School in California, where he led the Hawks to the playoffs in his senior season. In that season, he posted 70 total tackles, 11 tackles for losses as well as three interceptions.

The scouting tape pinned on his Twitter showcases all aspects of his game to a tee. Some clips display his ability to make tackles and halt movement, while others show his defensive vision. One notable clip shows him tracking the quarterback’s eyes across the field to go and make a pass deflection.

Dourseau is a welcome addition to the ever-growing list of Lumberjack defensive backs. He will surely see more first-team action in Flagstaff due to his experience at a high level as well as his defensive prowess.

Mikale Greer [6’2,185 | DB | Compton, CA / San Jose State]

Greer is the third defensive back NAU added through the transfer portal. The San Jose State product appeared in just 14 games in his time as a Spartan and accumulated five tackles, though he was primarily used on special teams.

In high school, Greer played both defensive back and wide receiver. During his senior year, he snagged three interceptions. No other statistics of his were posted.

His hudl tape from his senior year gives scouts a good idea of how he actually plays on both sides of the ball. Greer has hands, and he shows that with clips from both sides of the ball. Some touchdowns he caught required him to elevate and make plays with his whole body, which is a great skill to have as a defensive back.

Other defensive clips showed his physicality and ability to make tackles in the open field, again another valuable asset to have.

Like the previous two players listed above, Greer will have an opportunity to become not only a rotational defensive back but also a potential full-time starter.

Jonathan Jones [6’4, 255 | DL | McKinney, TX / Mississippi Gulf Community College]

Jones excelled in his lone season of community college football at Mississippi Gulf. Of his 18 tackles, five were sacks and eight were tackles for losses.

At McKinney High School Jones thrived, putting up 55 tackles, 16 tackles for losses, as well as six sacks in his junior season. The Lions placed fourth in their district that year against Texas’ highest competition. 6A schools like Allen and Dallas Jesuit topped the table.

His hudl tape, like every other recruit, shows why he put up the statistics he did. Jones is a monster on the interior and multiple snippets showed him blowing through defenders to make strong tackles. He also excelled at using his hands to move past linemen, which is an essential skill for players who aim to move up in the football world.

Jones will join an NAU defensive line that lost out on one of their biggest names this offseason, Sheldon Newton. He will be a competitor for a starting spot in what could be a dominant NAU line this season.

Jonny Bortoff [6’4, 295 | OL | Quincy, IL / Missouri Western]

Jack Forsyth [6’6 ,295 | OL | Falls Church, VA / Howard]

While Bortoff and Forsyth may not have the camaraderie previously mentioned Kramer and Koustanian did, these two will certainly provide a boost to an NAU line that has to block almost an entirely new offense.

Bortoff earned two All-State selections and three All-Conference selections during his time in high school. While Forsyth helped Howard earn a share of the MEAC regular season championship this past season.

Baylor Odom [6’5, 200 | DL | Jasper, AL / Jasper High School]

Odom, a defensive lineman out of Jasper, Alabama, comes into NAU as an accomplished defender out of a 5A high school.

In his senior year, Odom racked up 41 total tackles, including five sacks and ten tackles for losses. On top of this, he scored two defensive touchdowns; both were interceptions for touchdowns. The second was in a 29-21 first-round loss to Moody High School.

Odom also played wide receiver for his team, although no statistics were listed on his MaxPreps page. However, on his hudl reel, he posted multiple clips of his snaps at receiver, all of which demonstrate the wheels this kid has.

On top of his speed, Odom possesses the ability to read the quarterback to see where the play is going. He used this to his advantage on multiple occasions that involved him stuffing a run play or halting the receiver early. Some snippets showed Odom laying the boomstick on the ball carriers, causing them to halt in their tracks and on one occasion nearly cough up the football.

The Lumberjacks already possess a vast amount of players on their defensive line but Odom’s versatility could prompt the coaching staff to move him elsewhere. One position that could work based on his size and abilities could be the linebacker position because he can catch the football as well.

Once spring ball rolls around we will know for sure what the staff decides to do with him.

Brodrick Stewart [6’2, 305 | DL | Arlington, TX / Mansfield Summit High School]

Stewart is another addition to the NAU defensive line who could make splashes this season.

He finished with 46 total tackles in his senior season, including nine tackles for

loss and three sacks. Not only did he make tackles, but he also forced a fumble and recovered another loose ball.

The Mansfield Summit Jaguars finished 5-5 in 2022 and made the Texas 5A Division Two playoffs. They were eliminated in the first round 12-7 by the South Oak Cliff Bears. Stewart finished with eight total tackles and one tackle for a loss.

His hudl tape shows his power on the line. In nearly every clip Stewart was able to bowl through the defense to then finish off the play with a strong tackle. He was also able to pursue the ball carriers with some quickness and force them to make bad decisions.

Again, the Lumberjacks have an immense amount of talent on their defensive line so Stewart is another player who could see little playing time this season. However, his pure strength and power may make the coaching staff take a deeper look at how to fit him in the line rotation.

Braeden Kaczmarek [6’4, 260 | DL | Mesa, AZ / Red Mountain High School]

Kaczmarek is yet another addition to the defensive line and he has shown sparks of talent early.

The lineman out of Red Mountain High School in Mesa, Arizona helped lead his team to a 6A East Valley Regional championship, as well as the 6A Conference State Tournament semifinals in his senior season.

In his junior season, he finished with 29 tackles, nine of them being for losses and five of those being sacks. He also added a pick-six for good measure. The Mountain Lions also made the State Tournament semifinals that year.

Like the aforementioned Stewart, Kaczmarek excels in bullying the offensive line, as is apparent through his hudl clips. He also performs well in pursuit situations as his speed allows him to keep up with some of the faster running backs.

Judging where the staff will place these new linemen is difficult. Mainly because there are so many of them, but Kaczmarek may be in the same boat as Stewart and may not see a lot of playing time come the fall.

Will Wilson [6’3, 215 | LB | Tualatin, OR / Tualatin High School]

Wilson came out of a talented Tualatin defense that featured three Division I commits. In his junior season, he finished with 80 total tackles, four sacks and eight and a half tackles for losses.

In the 2021 campaign with the Timberwolves he led them to a 14-2 record and the team reached the OSAA 6A Championship game. The defense was nothing but lockdown with him at the helm, as a whole they held opponents to only 18.6 points per game.

However, Wilson’s senior season was cut short when he tore his ACL in the first game, rendering him out for the year.

If we look at hudl footage from his junior season though, he was a key piece of the Timberwolves’ stalwart defense. He excelled in following the plays all the way through multiple blockers and making the tackle at the end. The tackles he made were also solid wrap tackles, which is highly encouraging when coming to a Lumberjack team that struggled to make tackles at times.

Noting his injury, Wilson may not see any time on the field as he recovers and may be redshirted for his first year. Regardless, when he eventually does play snaps, they will be with the starters.

Brandon Boateng [6’4, 195 | WR | Santa Clarita, CA / Valencia High School]

Boateng is one of three pass catchers signed right out of high school to the Lumberjack roster, the other two being Myseth Currie and Blaise Nelson.

As a senior, Boateng caught 39 passes for 488 yards and eight touchdowns. He also was a return man, running back 10 kickoffs for 372 total yards and a 90-yard kickoff return touchdown. Following this season, he was named to the All-Foothill League first team, an honor awarded to the top players at their respective positions.

Valencia finished the regular season with a 5-5 record and reached the CIF Southern Section Division 4 State Tournament. They lost 43-17 in the first round, but Boateng finished with three receptions for 52 yards and a touchdown.

Speed is the name of the game for Boateng. His wheels give him the ability to flip the field at any given opportunity. That, combined with his size, allows him to make big body plays on many tough defenders and that is evident in his hudl tapes.

Depending on how spring ball goes, Boateng could see himself getting some firststring action based on nothing but his intangibles. However, he is still a freshman and there is always room to develop, so he will most likely play as a rotational WR3 come fall.

Myseth Currie [6’2, 175 | WR | Laveen, AZ / Cesar Chavez High School]

Currie is another wide receiver who shined in high school, albeit on a higher stage than Boateng.

For the 6A Cesar Chavez Champions in 2022, Currie caught 55 passes for 1068 yards and 15 touchdowns. These statistics earned him the honor of 6A Central Region Offensive Player of the Year. A standout performance from the season saw him catch 13 passes en route to 223 yards and two touchdowns versus Desert Vista High School. He also played defensive back and was the punt/kick returner for his squad, which helped him achieve even more honors; All-Region First Team as a punt returner and All-Region Second Team as a kick returner and defensive back. In his career on defense, he finished with 30 total tackles and one interception.

As a result of Currie’s dominance at every position he played, the Champions made the 6A state tournament for the first time since 2019, although they were demolished by the No. 1 seed Casteel 70-30 in the first round.

Currie’s hudl showcases his speed and playmaking abilities. Route running is a forté of his, and multiple clips showed him using only his hips to throw defenders off balance and get open. Getting open is only half of the story though, as Currie also showed off his catching skills with one-handed grabs and catches over defender’s heads, or what is referred to as, “mossing somebody”.

Like Boateng, Currie may fit in more as a rotational WR3 or WR4 because the top wide receivers, redshirt senior Jamal Glaspie and redshirt junior Coleman Owen, already have the top two spots on lock.

Adam Damante [6’2, 180 | QB | Gilbert, AZ / American Leadership Academy Gilbert]

Damante may be the most accomplished player coming out of high school because he led his team to a state championship.

In a season where he threw for 4769 yards and 59 touchdowns, the ALA Gilbert Eagles finished 8-2 and won the 4A Conference East Sky Region. They also clinched the No. 1 seed in the tournament and won their way to the top.

In the championship game, Damante threw for 285 yards and three touchdowns in the 28-14 win against Snowflake High School.

All of this success carried over to after-the-season honors, where Damante was named to the All-Region First Team and won the East Sky Region Player of the Year. On top of this, he was named a finalist for the Ed Doherty Award, an award given to the top high school football player in Arizona.

Throughout his whole career as an Eagle, he passed for 8772 yards in his three years on varsity, as well as 109 touchdowns. He also ran for 1047 yards with 15 touchdowns on the ground over the course of his varsity career.

All of this senior season success can be seen in his hudl tape, as with every other recruit covered here. Clips here show his ability to make good decisions and thread the needle between multiple defenders. He also has a strong arm and can launch the ball down the field at any time, given that he has time in the pocket to throw.

Damante will fit in nicely with the now-packed NAU quarterback room. He will likely be either redshirted or used potentially as the third string behind the more experienced Kai Millner and Daniel Britt.

Blaise Nelson [5’11, 165 | WR | Surprise, AZ / Valley Vista High School]

Nelson joins fellow freshmen Brandon Boateng and Myseth Currie as the new receivers signed to NAU straight out of high school.

He caught 51 balls for 661 yards and seven touchdowns in his senior year; a year in which his team went 7-3 and won the 6A Conference West Valley Region

Championship. Nelson was named to the All-Region First Team as a receiver and as a kick returner following his senior season.

Winning the region championship also clinched Valley Vista a spot in the 6A State Tournament. Coincidentally, the 6A Tournament appearance was the first for the Monsoon since 2019, although they lost 46-0 in the first round to Pinnacle.

His hudl profile says he ran a 4.43 40-yard dash, which is speed comparable to top NFL receivers today. This is apparent in the clips featured in the mixtape, as you can see Nelson torch defenders and weave through traffic to make something out of nothing.

Just like Boateng and Currie, Nelson will have a tough time breaking into the receiver rotation at NAU, but his blistering speed may help him slot in as an occasional WR4.

Dustin Reynolds [6’2, 225 | LB | Apple Valley, CA / Apple Valley High School]

Reynolds was a swiss army knife for the Sun Devils in his senior season. He played both running back and linebacker and showed out at both positions.

As a linebacker, he recorded 88 tackles with 21 tackles for losses, four and a half sacks and two interceptions. As a running back he finished with 397 rushing yards on 38 carries and scored six touchdowns, not to mention two receiving touchdowns on top of that.

He led Apple Valley to an 8-3 overall record and helped them reach the CIF Southern Section Division 2 Tournament. They lost in the first round to Inglewood, 35-21. Reynolds had 76 all-purpose yards; 63 rushing and 13 receiving, as well as a rushing touchdown.

Reynolds is a team player, and this is evident in his hudl clips. He worked well alongside his teammates to read the offense and blow up plays together. Pair this with his strength and speed, and you have the potential for a defensive stud.

Reynolds will have the chance to play alongside a talented NAU defense this season. Depending on how he meshes with the current roster, the chemistry may lead Head Coach Chris Ball to consider plugging him into some defensive sets.

Porter Reynolds [6’0, 225 | LB | Queen Creek, AZ / Queen Creek High School]

Porter Reynolds, no relation to the aforementioned Dustin Reynolds, happens to also play the linebacker position.

He finished his senior season with 115 total tackles, including seven tackles for losses, four sacks and three forced fumbles.

These stats helped him anchor a Bulldogs’ team that finished 6-4 in the regular season and reached the 6A Conference State Tournament. Queen Creek lost in the second round 24-14 to Pinnacle. Reynolds was named the Co-Region Defensive Player of the Year in the 6A East Valley Region.

His senior year was merely an upgrade to a stellar junior year, one in which he finished with 107 total tackles, four tackles for loss and one sack. He was named to the All-Region First Team and All-6A Conference First Team this season.

Like Dustin, he was also a running back and garnered 245 rushing yards and 23 receiving yards during his high school career to go with seven rushing touchdowns.

The hudl mixtape contrasts Dustin Reynolds’ to some extent. Porter’s clips showed him making more plays by himself by hawking the ball carrier down and blowing up pass plays. However, like Dustin, he also has the ability to read the quarterback well and blow up plays when they are needed most.

Porter will have a harder time fitting into the linebacker rotation, but he may get some playing time off the bench if injuries happen, or if the Lumberjacks have a large point differential with which to try new things out.

David Spruiells [5’9, 170 | DB | Dallas, TX / South Oak Cliff High School]

Spruiells is another state champion joining the NAU squad this season. In fact, he has won two state titles.

In the 2022 campaign, he finished the year with 69 total tackles, six interceptions and four passes broken up (PBUs). He helped the Golden Bears finish 13-3 on the regular season and perfect in district play, 6-0.

This team then ripped off five straight wins to clinch back-to-back state titles, capped off with a 34-24 win over Port Neches-Groves in the championship game. Spruiells recorded 10 total tackles in that game.

His junior year, when South Oak Cliff won the first of two rings, he finished with 76 tackles, two interceptions and two PBUs.

Spruiells is simply put, a ball hawk. His hudl clips show him crossing the field to snag interceptions and make plays on the ball. He is also quick on his feet, which helps him cover lots of ground quickly.

The defensive back pool in Flagstaff is filled with many talented players, so it is hard to determine at this point if Spruiells will see any action. But again, spring ball has yet to happen and the coaching staff will have until the fall season starts to figure out how he fits in.

Kyler Wilson [6’0, 180 | DB | Montgomery, TX / Montgomery High School]

Wilson is another part of the trio of defensive backs coming straight out of high school, the others being the aforementioned Spruiells as well as Alex McLaughlin.

He finished his senior season with 52 total tackles, four of which were tackles for losses. He also intercepted two passes, broke up another 12 and blocked a field goal.

As a return man, he returned five kicks for 102 yards and four punts for 100 yards, including one for a touchdown. Wilson was named to the 10-5A All-District First Team at safety and Second Team as a returner.

This was all in his senior season, but his whole career at Montgomery saw him rack up some impressive statistics.

As a junior he recorded 56 total tackles with three fumbles forced, two fumbles recovered, two interceptions and another 10 passes broken up. He earned First Team All-District and All-County as a junior. As a sophomore, he had two pick-sixes and tied the school record with eight interceptions.

His ability to cover the middle of the field is well reflected in his hudl tape, where multiple clips show him coming across the field to make plays. Much like Spruiells, Wilson also is blazing fast and that is evident through the clips of him returning punts.

Again like Spruiells, the defensive back pool is nearly full in Flagstaff, and it will be hard for him to work his way into a starting role. Second or third team is more likely to be where Wilson ends up.

Alex McLaughlin [6’2, 190 | DB | Chandler, AZ / Hamilton High School]

McLaughlin, whose brother Trent is on the basketball team, is the final defensive back of the freshman trio that NAU added to the roster.

McLaughlin finished with 107 tackles as a senior, including 17 tackles for loss and eight sacks. He tacked on just about every other statistic you can think of on top of this: seven passes broken up, three interceptions, three blocked punts, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery.

As deserved, he was named to the First Team All-6A Premier Region.

The Huskies finished 8-2 in the regular season to earn a berth in the Arizona Open Division State Tournament, where they lost 45-35 to Saguaro in the first round.

His junior season was just as productive, if not more so. He had 80 total tackles with eight tackles for losses and two sacks. Add on four passes broken up, a blocked punt and a blocked field goal, and you earn some honors. McLaughlin was named to the All-6A Premier Region First Team and was given All-6A Conference Honorable Mention honors.

The Huskies finished 10-0 that season and reached the Open Division State semifinals, although they were upset by Saguaro, 31-24

McLaughlin is a field general, as is shown by his hudl reel. Multiple clips showed him communicating with his defense to get in the right position to make the plays. He also showed that he was able to make the plays if need be. Combine that with his intriguing speed and strength, and McLaughlin fits the makings of a solid defensive player. Like both the other defensive players listed above, it will be hard for McLaughlin to get a starting spot, but being a second-string linebacker or defensive back is well within reach.

Background Photo Courtesy of Storey Whelch