The U.S. Senate today approved an amendment offered by Senators John McCain (R-AZ) and Jay Rockefeller (D-WV) prohibiting Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac executives from receiving future multi-million dollar bonuses as long as the government-backed mortgage companies remain in federal conservatorship. It was recently reported that the Federal Housing Finance Agency approved $12.8 million in bonuses to ten top Fannie and Freddie executives.

“Today’s vote in the Senate to stop high-paid executives at Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac from receiving huge multi-million dollar bonuses is a good first step in finally confronting the challenge we face with these ‘government-sponsored enterprises’ (GSEs), which played a large role in causing the housing crisis in this country,” said Senator John McCain. “Since they were placed in conservatorship in 2008, Fannie and Freddie have taken the American taxpayer for nearly $170 billion in bailouts and recently requested $13.8 billion more. The American taxpayer has been the victim of outright corruption and blatant abuse at the hands of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac for decades – it must stop. It is time to enact fundamental GSE reform, and take Fannie and Freddie off the permanent taxpayer bailout list, returning them to the competitive marketplace before they go from ‘too big to fail’ to ‘too late to fix.’ The American people deserve no less.”

“It’s about time that the Senate passed this responsible legislation to make sure the mortgage giants can’t give out excessive, million dollar bonuses while they are being propped up by taxpayer money,” said Senator Jay Rockefeller. “The American people deserve better, particularly as too many families are struggling just to get by. Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac must be more responsible with taxpayers’ money, and this legislation should help make that happen.”

Co-sponsors of the amendment are Senators Mike Johanns (R-NE), Claire McCaskill (D-MO), John Barrasso (R-WY), Lindsey Graham (R-SC), Mike Enzi (R-WY), Tom Coburn (R-OK), John Thune (R-SD), Roy Blunt (R-MO), Lindsey Graham (R-SC), Dean Heller (R-NV), Joe Manchin (D-WV), John Hoeven (R-ND), and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI).

McCain-Rockefeller Amendment Passes Senate is a post from: Flagstaff Business & Online News | Northern Arizona Local Newspaper

As one of the predominant buildings in Flagstaff, the Weatherford Hotel on Arizona’s very first statehood day, Feb. 14, 1912, likely hosted a gathering of well-dressed townspeople and travelers in woolen overcoats and formal hats maneuvering among the few automobiles and horse-drawn buggies. Historian and former judge Richard Mangum says the move from territory to statehood meant getting ahead in the world, being recognized as an equal among the rest of the country and having a self-elected, rather than appointed, government.

On this centennial statehood day, the historic Weatherford Hotel again will serve as an important Flagstaff centerpiece and gathering place as the community and visitors mark our state’s 100^thbirthday with the lowering of the Great Pine Cone at 7 p.m., Tuesday, Feb. 14. The event promises a dazzling LED light show of the copper state’s colors, alternating with the reds of Valentine’s Day. To coincide with downtown centennial statehood activities, the Pine Cone will be lowered at half-mast throughout the day.

Opened on New Year’s Day 1900, the elegant Weatherford Hotel served as a bridge between the rugged frontier and civilized living. It was a time when some were still hunting grizzlies, Arizona Rangers were running down outlaws and astronomers were stargazing for discovery.

Just as northern Arizona’s early scientists were peering into the dark skies, John W. Weatherford was envisioning a Flagstaff that would welcome visitors in style, treat them to first-class entertainment in his opera house, The Majestic, and guide them through the cool ponderosa pine forest to the top of Arizona’s highest mountain on the San Francisco Mountain Boulevard. The Coconino Sun said Weatherford would be bringing “a vast empire to view by road.”

The scenic road opened in 1926 and began operating as a summertime tourist attraction. Unfortunately, the road for Weatherford, the man, was anything but smooth after that. In 1927, fire destroyed the grand wrap-around balconies that graced his three-story building. The Great Depression of 1929, which started with the stock market crash in October, hit tourism very hard and the road was barely able to survive. Weatherford himself died a poor man in 1934.

What has survived is the Weatherford spirit of beauty and enjoyment. Among those who have passed through the Weatherford Hotel doors to warm their hands by the fireplace and delight in fine dining have included newspaper tycoon William Randolph Hearst, western landscape artist Thomas Moran and notorious wild-West lawman Wyatt Earp.

In fact, oral history has it that Earp was gambling in the hotel when the local sheriff broke up the illegal game. Suddenly realizing with whom he was dealing, the sheriff suggested the men wrap up the game, donate the winnings to the Women’s Club and forget about the whole incident.

Meantime, New York dentist and cowboy author Zane Grey was romancing the West from a comfortable chair in the Weatherford Hotel’s parlor.

Since the ‘30s, the hotel has experienced a series of owners, remodels including stucco and aluminum siding, and uses such as a bowling alley, restaurants and radio station.

Throughout the years, the downtown fell into a state of disrepair. Many buildings were being torn down and it seemed this too would be the fate of the Weatherford Hotel. That’s when Henry Taylor stepped in. The 29-year-old Holbrook man purchased the sandstone building to save it from demolition in 1975. He was able to use it as a rehabilitation facility for two years and then started a small coffee shop in 1978 called Charly’s.

Eventually, the building transformed into a hostel offering European travelers an affordable and accessible taste of the West.

The Taylors (now Henry and his wife, Sam) remodeled the first floor and opened Charly’s Pub on Saint Patrick’s Day 1981. It has been a major entertainment venue in Flagstaff’s historic downtown ever since.

The 1990s marked a period of even greater change. Sam and Henry moved into fine dining. They began upgrading the rooms and transitioning the hostel into a hotel. State grants helped restore the balconies and the Zane Grey Ballroom became the crowning jewel of elegant simplicity and casual ambience reminiscent of Flagstaff at its turn-of-the century heyday.

Just as John W. Weatherford, astronomers and Flagstaff’s early leaders had a dream for Flagstaff, Henry and Sam have carried and implemented the vision for the grand Weatherford Hotel as a legacy and connection to Flagstaff’s past. Their tireless efforts have been underway for more than 30 years to restore the structure and charm, return its signature features including the balconies and cupola, and offer a respite in casual elegance for weary travelers and festive revelers.

“In many ways the story of the Weatherford Hotel represents a love story about people who embrace life, share a vision for improving the future and work for meaningful results that honor our heritage,” said Judge Mangum. “It is most fitting that this landmark hotel will bring our community together again on Valentine’s Day and on this important moment in Arizona history.”

Thus, the Weatherford Hotel invites Flagstaff residents and visitors to share in the celebration honoring Flagstaff’s early beginnings and Arizona’s 100^th birthday as the six-foot-tall, 120-pound, lighted aluminum Pine Cone is lowered to cheers in the historic downtown at 7 p.m., Tuesday, Feb. 14. The Weatherford Hotel will be offering Valentine’s Day dining specials along with statehood 100-cent Arizona beer specials and the music of Jimmy DeBlois in Charly’s Pub & Grill.

Flagstaff to Celebrate AZ’s Centennial Downtown is a post from: Flagstaff Business & Online News | Northern Arizona Local Newspaper

Flagstaff-based, Motor Excellence is continuing to shift its focus toward new applications and technology licensing.  The company recently  announced an additional force reduction as part of its transition plan started in November 2011. An additional 10 Full-time positions have been terminated.

According to Jon Mrkonich, Motor Excellence (ME) president, the transition requires the company to focus on the continued development of motors for robotic applications, capitalizing on interest from prospective customers for other custom development, and licensing of our technology.

“Our business model was based on a hub and spoke strategy.  For the past year, we’ve been staffing up and building our infrastructure to advance plans for spoke companies focused on large generation and propulsion.  While achieving promising results, those plans are being put on hold as we focus our resources on licensing and commercialization of motors for specific applications.  As a result, we continue to lean down and focus our resources on key projects,” says Mrkonich.

Last year Motor Excellence’s headcount grew to 56 full-time positions before expected capital funding fell through.  This led to a force reduction late last year.  The company is now proceeding with 20 full-time employees.

“Reduction of ME’s team is a challenge for us all as it impacts the lives and livelihoods of people we care about and consider family.  It’s a difficult, yet necessary action. We continue to streamline our operations, cut costs, and build a foundation so we can go the distance,” says Mrkonich. “Our board, investors, and senior leaders understand the challenges associated with many start ups and have set forth this plan to mitigate those risks and see us through,” adds Mrkonich.

###

Motor Excellence Continuing to Shift Focus is a post from: Flagstaff Business & Online News | Northern Arizona Local Newspaper

The Flagstaff community and NorthernArizona University will welcome NAU alumna and author Lisa Schnebly Heidinger as part of the president’s speaker series and in honor of Arizona’s centennial celebration next month.

Heidinger will discuss Arizona: 100 Years Grand, her recently published work selected as the official book of the state’s centennial celebration, from 3:30 to 5 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 8, at the High Country Conference Center in Flagstaff.

With the city of Sedona named after her great-grandmother, Sedona Schnebly, Heidinger needed look no further than her family tree to identify a personal stake and interest in Arizona’s history. Alongside a journalism career that placed Heidinger at Arizona Highways, The Arizona Republic and in various broadcast journalism roles, she wrote several books about the history of Arizona cities, towns and residents.

Arizona: 100 Years Grand, Heidinger’s sixth book, is a collection of the most distinguished people, places and events from the last century and of the state’s notable geographical, historical and cultural aspects. Book contributors include Sen. John McCain, Gov. Bruce Babbitt and Gov. Rose Mofford.

Heidinger received a bachelor’s degree from NAU in 1987 and also worked at the university for several years.

“Northern Arizona University has educated three generations of Schnebly family members and remains one of my personal favorite places in Arizona for many reasons I look forward to sharing,” she said.

After the presentation Heidinger will sign copies of Arizona: 100 Years Grand, which will be available for purchase onsite through the NAU Bookstore for $39.95.

For information or to RSVP for the event by Feb. 1, contact (928) 523-8821.

NAU Alumna Highlighting AZ Centennial is a post from: Flagstaff Business & Online News | Northern Arizona Local Newspaper

Peek into the history of Flagstaff’s Fourth Street and you’ll find that it was the city’s commercial corridor long before the environs of San Francisco and Front Streets became respectably chic. In its halcyon days, K-Mart was the thriving and prosperous anchor for the area and its businesses. Now, K-Mart is gone, leaving a “huge gaping hole in retail on Fourth Street,” said Steve Saville over a mug of latte at White Dove Café. Saville is manager of Enhanced Service Districts for downtown and east Flagstaff. “Fourth Street was the retail district 30 years ago,” he said. But, with several recent city-approved projects, the former business corridor is well positioned for a comeback as the “premier geographical location for retail.” Walgreens has purchased one tract of land and Evergreen Development will add an additional 20,000-square-foot retail pad – both on the south side of Route 66 at Fourth Street. The now-empty K-Mart will be Flagstaff’s home for the Idaho-based Cal Ranch Store, which, according to Saville, will have “anything you need for a gentleman rancher.” It is “the biggest boon in the last ten years for this area,” he added. Part of Saville’s mandate is development of an enhanced service district that includes creating a private 501 (c) 3 with its own board of directors who can negotiate with the city for special services that might include everything from extra trash pick-ups, snow clean-up, graffiti removal, and Christmas decorations. Special services require tax assessments on businesses within the special district. Another part of Saville’s job is to educate Sunnyside business owners about the advantages of increased taxes for their own bottom line. The desires of the Fourth Street district “are different than those of downtown,” Saville said. “The city is not capable of responding to these needs efficiently.”

Steve Dohse, manager of the White Dove, believes that an enhanced district “will have nothing but a positive impact” on his business. “Our main challenge has been exposure, as we are off the beaten track,” he said. “We benefit by being one of the only Fourth Street coffee shops.” But, he is certain that redevelopment will be an improvement.

Michele Roberts, owner of Purl in the Pines, also located on Fourth Street, agreed. “I’m a destination business,” she said. “So people would probably go wherever I was located.” Roberts considers her yarn store a boutique where customers gather for classes, workshops, and special events. Her customers have told her “they’re really happy I’m located here. It’s hard to find parking downtown.” Her aspirations for Fourth Street include beautifying the area and “making it quainter,” with sidewalk benches and streetlamps. “All of the businesses here would do better if they cleaned it up and made it safer.”

In addition to businesses like Roberts’s, the area around Fourth Street is home to its share of empty storefronts and transitory housing. “You can’t just push the problems off to your neighbors,” said Saville, but making Fourth Street a destination road instead of a pass-through corridor will have a positive impact if the various entities involved – city, developers, as well as private property and individual business owners – can overcome barriers that predate most Flagstaff residents.

Saville has a long history in the city – he was the original owner of Flagstaff Live and Mountain News. He is as well versed in Fourth Street’s past as he is enthusiastic about its future, despite a set of challenges stemming from some of the city’s earliest citizens. The Greenlaw Brothers came to Flagstaff in the late 1800s – the same era as the Riordans and the Babbits. They established a lumber mill, built the first hotel, transported water to Flagstaff’s new developments, and homesteaded 160 acres that included present day Fourth Street and some surrounding areas in Sunnyside. Generations later, the original homestead, which includes the eastern half of Fourth Street, is held in trust by descendants of the Greenlaws – the Beamers and the Knowles families. A challenge for comprehensive redevelopment of the corridor, according to Saville, is that “complicated land title issues are holding it back.”

Ed Gussio is the owner of Benefit Logic, Inc. located on Fourth Street’s western side where, according to Saville, traditional business owner rights prevail. On the day a reporter called him to chat about the future of Fourth Street, Gussio had been in his new office for just two days. He and his wife “had a goal to own our own building for a long time,” he said about the decision to relocate from Cedar Avenue. “It’s an ideal location,” he said. “We have people coming into our office all the time, so accessibility was very important.” Gussio finds promise in his new location, but, like Saville, sees a challenge in defining its future. “The dirt is owned by one person and the building by another,” he said about some of the thorny issues making owners reluctant to upgrade buildings they lease to small business owners lining the eastern side of the road. “As they get that resolved,” Gussio said, “I think things will get better.”

Getting better will include pedestrian walkways, landscaping, bus stops with benches, “real traffic lights, crosswalks,” and many other improvements if Saville has his way. He envisions a $20-25 million project that is currently just in the dream stage. “There’s no funding yet,” he admitted. Realizing the vision means that businesses and residents have to come together to decide what they really want. And, resolving the complicated land ownership issues in order to “find the best way to go forward.” FBN

Fourth Street: Corridor to Flagstaff’s Future is a post from: Flagstaff Business & Online News | Northern Arizona Local Newspaper

Through monthly meetings, the members of “Meet the Geeks” are looking to take their technology businesses – and tech startups in Flagstaff, as a whole – to the next level.

The group is sponsored by the Northern Arizona Center for Entrepreneurial Technologies (NACET), which also provides space for them to meet.

Stacy Fobar, a representative of NACET, says the idea behind getting the “Geeks” together goes far beyond just networking, and is an initiative aimed at fostering the development of tech startups in Flagstaff.

“It’s a way for a cluster of software developers to get to meet each other [and] to get to know each other,” Fobar said. “It’s a way for software programmers and developers to get together and share information, share ideas to hopefully develop more business in Northern Arizona. They’ll be able to compare ideas, contrast ideas, network, find more business and farm out business if they need to.”

Frank Koenen, a local programmer and one of the original members of the group, says the Geeks present an enormous networking opportunity for technologists.

“I’ve been attending their meetings for the last three or four months and have gotten involved with them,” Koenen said. “Being that I do freelance work, I was interested in networking in Flagstaff, along with seeing what opportunities might be here. Plus, [I was interested in] networking with other professionals and seeing if there might be cooperation.”

Currently, “Meet the Geeks” is still in its infancy, and many of the members are still getting to know each other. However, Koenen says a future feature of the meetings will be presentations on various subjects.

“There is a lot of sharing of information amongst group members,” Koenen said. “Something I do well, I might present that to the group and share that with them. I don’t know if it’s official, but it seems to me that the intent of the group, in general, is that they are looking for connections to companies who need that kind of service.”

Another original Geek is Darryl Brown, the lead software engineer for a local business, 2b Design and Development. Drawing a comparison to Boulder, Colo., he says the group is focused on making Flagstaff a haven for software startups.

“I think different people are looking for different things from it,” Brown said. “But, my understanding is that from NACET’s point of view, they’re trying to sponsor entrepreneurial activity and business in Flagstaff. And Meet the Geeks is really focused on software, and trying to make Flagstaff sort of a software mecca.”

Koenen says he believes both the city and the surrounding region have a surplus of skilled programmers and software engineers – a phenomenon he credits to the young professionals coming out of Northern Arizona University.

“Besides my own personal benefit from being connected to it, I think there’s a benefit for the community [and] a benefit for businesses in Flagstaff, who may not realize that there’s a vast amount of skill here already,” Koenen said. “Just talking about it and letting people know it’s here – that can’t be bad.”

However, Koenen says there is a caveat to that assessment: he believes Northern Arizona is losing the battle to retain tech jobs to other parts of the state and country.

“I think [the market for tech jobs in Flagstaff is] pretty weak right now,” Koenen said. “I have different contacts who will feed me information about jobs being available, and they’re not in Flagstaff. They’re in the Valley, they’re in Tucson, they’re back in the Midwest, they’re on the West Coast. It’s a struggle for some to stay here as technologists.”

Koenen says the Geeks group is a good step in the right direction if the city wants to hold on to more skilled programmers and help create jobs.

“If that’s important for the success of Flagstaff or the success of Northern Arizona, it could use some support,” Koenen said. “Companies need to realize that there’s talent up here already.”

For NACET, that is the goal. Fobar says she hopes the end result of Meet the Geeks is a boom in local tech startups and related businesses.

“I would like to see several of these Geeks start their own businesses, become NACET clients, get incubated and keep their businesses here in Flagstaff,” Fobar said. FBN

Bringing Local Technologists Together is a post from: Flagstaff Business & Online News | Northern Arizona Local Newspaper

 Flagstaff Shelter Services is hosting its annual fundraising Four Square Meals event February 4th.  The dinner and live auction will be held at the Coconino Center for the Arts with the silent auction and cocktails beginning at 5:00 and dinner at 7:00.  It will be an evening of fine food, beautiful artwork, great conversation, and beautiful music.

The 4 course dinner will include creations by local Flagstaff chefs :

Frank Branham from the Cottage Place
Steve Scully of Karma Sushi
Tony Consentino of Josephine’s Bistro
Randy Walker from 1899 Bar & Grill
Hector Pineda of High Country Conference Center
Dave Haines of Red Raven Restaurant
Wendy White of Abineau Lodge

They will create a delectable and nutritious meal using only food commonly found in a community food bank. The food is being generously donated by the Northern Arizona Food Bank and the Flagstaff Family Food Center.

Music will be courtesy of NAU’s Wren QuartetandRyan Biter with Bailey Cunningham. 

Organizers are asking for your help to make this event a success, and more importantly, they are asking you to help them save lives and end homelessness in Flagstaff.

FSS is seeking event sponsors and attendees as well as items for the silent auction.

Sponsor levels are $300, $500 and $1,500. A limited number of individual tickets will be offered for $75 each.

Flagstaff Shelter Services, Inc.

A non-profit, 501(c)(3) organization

Tax ID# 20-4921369

A Qualifying Charitable Organization for the Arizona working poor tax credit

Sponsorships and individual tickets are available for purchase onlineor by calling (928)225-2533

Leadership Sponsor $1500 (includes table with complimentary seating for
Table Sponsor $500            (includes table with complimentary seating for
Dinner Sponsor $ 300

Event Raising Money to Fight Homelessness is a post from: Flagstaff Business & Online News | Northern Arizona Local Newspaper

 For 23 years, the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) and the Government of Uganda have been locked in the longest-running war in Africa. This has left two million civilians in the crossfire—facing violence, losing their homes, and having their children kidnapped to serve as soldiers in the LRA.

The Flagstaff Arts and Leadership Academy’s (FALA) National Honor Society (NHS) is hosting a fundraising event for Invisible Children, whose mission reads, “Invisible Children uses film, creativity, and social action to end the use of child soldiers in Joseph Kony’s rebel war and restore LRA-affected communities in central Africa to peace and prosperity.” The group runs programs in Uganda utilizing staff that is 95 percent Ugandan.

The event will be Sat., Jan. 28 from 6:30-8:30 PM at Club 412, 520 N Switzer Canyon Drive. Tickets are $10 at the door and include light appetizers and desserts. The evening will feature visual and performance art—with peace, war, and African themes—provided by FALA students and a silent auction featuring donations from businesses and artists throughout Flagstaff. The group’s goal is to raise $1,000 for Invisible Children.

“We’re doing this to raise awareness about the heartbreaking trials children in Uganda face on a daily basis while having to fight for a basic education,” said NHS member Ellie Carroll.

Invisible Children has established a worldwide competition to raise money for the building/refurbishing of schools and teacher training workshops to help children receive a good education. Education is a necessary step to not only ending the current war, but also preventing another one from rising out of the ashes of the past. More information about Invisible Children can be found on its website: www.InvisibleChildren.com

FALA is a tuition-free, public charter middle and high school with a focus on academic excellence and rigorous performing and visual arts programs. For more information, call 928-779-7223 or visit www.FlagArts.com.

###

Fundraiser Tomorrow for Invisible Children is a post from: Flagstaff Business & Online News | Northern Arizona Local Newspaper

When Arizona Snowbowl opened for the 2011-2012 season last month, visitors found improvements to their skiing and snowboarding experiences. Despite waylays caused by lawsuits over snowmaking, the resort continues to work towards the proposed plan that was assembled by Arizona Snowbowl and the Forest Service. Some of the planned improvements were made last summer.

Four new beginner and intermediate glade runs – including one named Route 66 – and an advanced run were part of the terrain improvements. In total, eight new trails were added this year, expanding opportunities for all levels. The advanced run, called Upper Volcano, is rated as a black diamond run with a grade of over 50 percent.

“Upper Volcano opened in December and the reviews have been extremely positive,” said J.R. Murray, general manager. Upper Volcano provides an additional route down from the top of Agassiz Lift that relieves pressure on Ridge and Spur Catwalk. Upper Volcano holds snow and allows for an earlier opening of the upper mountain in lean snow years.

Improvements to the state-of-the-art beginners’ area – the largest in the Southwest – include a new kids’ adventure area and a new 450-foot conveyor belt. The new conveyor, called Big Spruce Carpet, joins the 150-foot Little Spruce Carpet that was added last season in Hart Prairie. The new technology takes the sometimes daunting ski lift out of the learning equation for beginners.

First-time skier Sophia Bentley, 12, of Scottsdale had nothing but good things to say of her ski school experience and the new conveyor. “It reminded me of the moving sidewalks at the airport. It wasn’t scary. I felt safe,” said the 12-year-old, who was spending the night with her family in a Flagstaff hotel. Brother David, 8, and also a first-timer, said, “I thought it was kind of fun, but when you first get on it, it kind of whips you. It felt like I was about to fall over, but I didn’t fall off.” When asked whether he would tell children his age to come to Arizona Snowbowl to learn to ski, he said, “Yes definitely. They should definitely come here.”

Brittany Speier, certified instructor for Arizona Snowbowl Ski School, explained, “The Carpet is a great tool because it allows people to get the basics in a slower environment and understand the fundamentals of skiing slowly, versus throwing them down the hill and trying to have them turn and stop going 20 mph. That allows them to actually improve faster – if they learn correct techniques at a slower environment, then they can bring that to a steeper incline or a different type of terrain.

“The Carpet is way to get kids up the hill without having a chairlift involved,” said the instructor, who is certified by the Professional Ski Instructors of America (PSIA) in alpine and telemark skiing and by the American Association of Snowboard Instructors (AASI).

“I think it is a great tool to have – it puts the beginners in an area to keep them safe away from the more intermediate skiers or people that think they are intermediate skiers,” added Speier.

“The conveyors are revolutionary for skiers and riders,” said Murray. “After one day, they can turn, glide and stop.”

To further enhance the guest experience, Arizona Snowbowl upgraded rental equipment this season. New top-of-the-line new demo equipment includes Elan, Rossignol, Head and Dynastar skis and/or snowboards and Head BOA snowboard boots. This reporter was so impressed with the carving performance of her Rossignol demo skis that she bought them.

Plans continue to complete the infrastructure for snowmaking in the fall and to begin snowmaking in winter 2012. “This summer, we finished half of the water supply line – from Highway 180 to the ski area entrance,” explained Murray. “We’re five years behind our schedule because of lawsuits. We still have some judicial processes in front of us.” Oral arguments before the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals are scheduled for Jan. 9, 2012.

“Visitors see that we are making investments but they also understand that without snowmaking we can’t make capital investments like new chairlifts. Snowbowl is known for inconsistent snow and long lift lines. Once we get snowmaking in, then we’ll start replacing and installing new lifts. But without the snowmaking, there will be no new lifts,” Murray said.

“In addition, we’re keeping the price for season passes the same for the eleventh consecutive season, while spending over $2 million in capital improvements,” Murray said in an earlier press release. “Arizona Snowbowl is investing in its assets to improve our guests’ experience and offer more outdoor recreation for the whole family.” FBN

Snowbowl Improving Visitor Experience is a post from: Flagstaff Business & Online News | Northern Arizona Local Newspaper

Arizona’s Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords announced today that she is retiring from Congress so she can continue her rehabilitation work.  Gifford was shot in the head a little more than a year ago during her public appearance with constituents in Tucson.

Giffords is expected to turn in her resignation letter this coming week.  The letter will be received by House Speaker John Boehner and Arizona Governor Jan Brewer.
See Gifford’s statement:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nguu0TkCTd4&feature=youtu.be

This afternoon’s statement from Arizona Governor Jan Brewer:

“Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords has been a noble public servant to the State of Arizona, and a model of what can be accomplished with persistence and determination. Her remarkable recovery over the last year is an inspiration to us all.

“As with all Americans, I will continue to hold Gabby in my thoughts and prayers as she continues on this path toward recovery.

“Upon the Congresswoman’s office being officially declared vacant, I will call a special Primary and General Election in order to fill the 8^th Congressional District vacancy, in accordance with Arizona law. The winner will complete the remainder of Congresswoman Giffords’ term, which expires at the end of 2012.”

 House Democrats release statement on Giffords’ resignation

STATE CAPITOL, PHOENIX – House Democrats issued the following statement Sunday from Assistant House Democratic Leader Steve Farley on Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords’ resignation:

“House Democrats thank Congresswoman Giffords for her service and her willingness to put her life on the line to make Arizona a better place for all families through her work on jobs, veterans and the economy. She humbly gave Arizona a voice in Washington and selflessly dedicated her life to her constituents. She has always been a true friend and always will be. We can’t thank her enough and look forward to her swift recovery and working with her in the future.”

Congresswoman Giffords Resigning from Congress is a post from: Flagstaff Business & Online News | Northern Arizona Local Newspaper