Little Tigers Mark Their First Birthday

Out of Africa Celebrates Birthday Tigers

Equinox and Exodus are a year old

By V. Ronnie Tierney, QCBN

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

Meet Equinox and Exodus, Out of Africa’s Bengal tigers who are celebrating their first birthday. As playful as they are, they may seem like big domesticated cats, but touching them is strictly off limits to visitors. “I get to hug my tigers every day,” said Out of Africa Wildlife Park carnivore manager and biologist Addam Krauch. “They are growing so fast and realistically could be pushing 170 pounds right now, which is typical for our male tigers here at the park.” Overseeing the Out of Africa spotted hyenas, black bears, mountain lions, black leopards and wolves, Krauch has been at Out of Africa Wildlife Park for four years and has helped raise Exodus and Equinox since they were babies. “They arrived here when they were just two months old but this is my favorite time with them because their personality really starts to come out. When they were itty-bitty babies it was around-the-clock care, as we had to make sure everything was all right with them, much like a human baby. They are now starting to become more independent and getting more coordinated.” Procured from a wildlife park in Upstate New York, Out of Africa Wildlife Park Co-founder Dean Harrison says it’s a privilege to raise tiger cubs. “You get to know them in a different light and after a while, they become your friends. But they are still cats at the end of the day, so we’re constantly reading them, watching their behaviors and making sure everything is OK and they want us to be with them. So far, these two have been phenomenal tigers and great additions here.” When the tigers made a purring sound called chuffing, Harrison explained this is the tigers’ way of saying, “I’m happy about meeting you and I’m having fun. I want to play with you.”

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

“We provide the tigers a life that addresses all their needs, so they can have a full life. We let them play and hunt us because that allows them to be tigers and hunting is playing for them. They do take us down from time to time, but without harm, because if they are playing with friends, they do not want to hurt their friends,” said Harrison. “Now, if they don’t have a relationship with someone, it’s a different story.”

With a total of 200 acres, Out of Africa Wildlife Park is located on the outskirts of Camp Verde. Harrison said that every animal at the park knows his or her name. “Every animal has their own habitat with lots of room. Some cats go on the overpass from one end to another for new smells and new adventures.” Harrison and his wife, Prayeri, visited Africa in the ‘90s and became enamored with the animals; so much so, they did some tours with friends there. On one trip, they stayed for one month.

Out of Africa Wildlife Park carnivore manager and biologist Addam Krauch and owner Dean Harrison work together to care for

the animals. Photo by V. Ronnie Tierney, Fresh Focuses Photography

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Chino Valley Chamber Promoting Women in Business

By Stan Bindell, QCBN

Chino Valley’s Women in Business program assists female business owners with networking, promoting their own and other small businesses, sharing ideas and finding solutions to unique problems women in business face.

Chino Valley Chamber of Commerce CEO Loretta Brashear says many situations that women face in the business community are unique to their gender, especially when it comes to small business owners and sole proprietors.

“Juggling family life with our professional life, particularly in smaller communities, can often lead to very specific challenges,” Brashear said. “By networking and dialoguing with others who have successfully navigated these issues, trading best-practices, and learning from each other, we hope to strengthen the local business community as a whole.”

Here are three ways the Chino Valley Chamber of Commerce Women in Business program helps women owned businesses:

Sharing marketing practices, especially with social media, which can often become a full-time job in itself.

Creating digital content for these outlets, in the form of video clips for commercials, audio podcasts to share their ideas, and graphics to promote sales, events and various programs. The Women In Business participants have access to the Chino Valley Area Chamber of Commerce photo, video and audio equipment and skills.

Access to our KQNA radio Talk of the Town Monday radio Broadcasts. Each week, this program features interviews live on the air at 4 p.m., on 1130am/99.9 FM/95.5 FM) as well as Chino’s Chamber regular promotional spots on the Yavapai Broadcasting radio family.

Brashear said the Women in Business program is important because, particularly in smaller communities, local businesses need to support each other, even in fields where they would normally be considered “competition.”

“When the community is looking for a place to eat, or looking for a specific style of clothing, or a particular item for the home, no one outlet fills all the needs. With small businesses, each owner or manager has their own style and personality, and their locations reflect that. If one of our participants doesn’t have an item or doesn’t have access to something, we hope they will let their customers know, ‘Well, so-and-so down the street just might have what you’re looking for.’ The saying, ‘It takes a village,” really shines when it comes to small business owners.”

The Women in Business program gives the women a chance to get to know the people in the business community and see the variety of services and level of talent in the area, says Brashear. “There are some great businesses in this area that many people are unaware of. We want to get the word out.”

Brashear said the Chino Valley COC Women in Business program is unique because it can offer participants professionally produced content for their websites and social

Chino Valley Chamber of Commerce Advisory Director Kay Jones and President Loretta Brashear visit during a business

networking event. Photo by Stan Bindell

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Flamenco dancers Chris and Lena Jácome perform with Arizona Philharmonic. Courtesy photo

Arizona Philharmonic Presents a Flamenco Christmas Celebration

Arizona Philharmonic presents internationally acclaimed flamenco duo Chris and Lena Jácome, teaming up with musicians from Arizona Philharmonic to offer a unique and unforgettable holiday experience, 3 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 4, at The Elks Theater. It is the spirit of PAZ (Spanish for peace) that inspires Chris Jácome’s flamenco-infused Christmas arrangements and original music, with Allen Ames on violin, Jeannette Moore on flute and Ruthie Wilde on cello, also featuring such traditional Christmas favorites as Silent Night, The First Noel and Little Drummer Boy. Tickets are available at AZPhil. org for $35 for adults, $33 for seniors, $15 for teachers and $10 for children under 18.

Chris and Lena Jácome provide intimate, inviting and exhilarating flamenco performances that only a perfectly matched pair can manifest. Their exquisitely refined, authentic and heartfelt approach to flamenco reflects years of training in Sevilla, Spain, built on top of their original American musical roots and formal ballet/ modern dance training. They have created nine albums, two DVDs, sheet music and online training courses. Chris Jácome composes for the Jácome Flamenco touring company and has a number of orchestra, chamber ensemble, movie, and television scores to his credit.

The Jácomes have performed internationally in Mexico, Canada, Spain and Indonesia, and at prestigious venues such as the Lincoln Center in New York City and the Redlands Bowl in California. They are regular visitors to Prescott, having performed solo, chamber and concerto concerts with Arizona Philharmonic. Arizona Philharmonic (AZ Phil) is celebrating its fifth season in Prescott in 2022-2023, as Prescott’s regional professional orchestra, presenting large and small concerts that engage and inspire listeners. Based in Prescott, AZ Phil draws musicians from across Arizona and is committed to offering transformative music, while nurturing community participation and supporting the needs and growth of the Prescott area performing arts scene. Recognized in 2021 by the Prescott Chamber of Commerce for Excellence in Arts and Culture, Arizona Philharmonic is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. Ticket information, sponsorship and volunteer opportunities can be found at AZPhil.org or on Facebook. QCBN

“We moved to Ft. McDowell in 1988 and started Out of Africa on a shoestring. We ran out of room and moved to Camp Verde and opened in 2005. We started with 100 acres and again needed more room so we purchased another 100 acres so the animals have plenty of space and a wonderful view. We just love it here and the climate is perfect,” said Prayeri. With their home in the middle of the park, the Harrisons enjoy a bird’s eye view from their veranda. “It’s like being in Africa,” said Prayeri. “We can spot the zebras in the morning and see the rhino playing with his toys.” Along with Equinox and Exodus, Out of Africa Wildlife Park is home to many African animals, including Bart, a two-toed sloth and Enoch, a black leopard. “Not only is Out of Africa Wildlife Park one of our most fun businesses in Camp Verde, it is also the first major visitor attraction to make a significant investment here,” said Town of Camp Verde Economic Development Director Steve Ayers. “For that reason alone, we will always owe a debt of gratitude to Dean and Prayeri for choosing Camp Verde as their forever home. Happy Birthday to Equinox and Exodus!” QCBN

TIGERS continued from page 11