Future passengers on Grand Canyon Railway will arrive at the South Rim with little fanfare or noise, as a battery-powered electric locomotive is added to the fleet. The Williams-based railway announced in late 2024 that it was awarded a $3.4 million federal grant to convert one of its diesel locomotives to a zero-emission battery-electric locomotive. Xanterra, the parent company of GCR, will pay 20% of the conversion cost under the U.S. Department of Transportation grant agreement. “This … [Read more...] about All Aboard for Sustainability: Grand Canyon Railway to Debut Battery-Powered Train in 2027
Motel 6 Shift to Shelter Adding Needed Beds
Construction work to convert a Flagstaff Motel 6 into a homeless shelter is nearing completion after a number of setbacks. Flagstaff Shelter Services bought the 104-room motel on Lucky Lane in April 2023 for $8.95 million. When completed, the FSS transitional shelter will increase capacity by more than 40%. “We’re rounding the bend on, unfortunately, two years of construction in that spot. We have hit a ton of hiccups,” said Ross Schaefer, FSS executive director for the past decade. The FSS … [Read more...] about Motel 6 Shift to Shelter Adding Needed Beds
Kickstand Kafé Introduces Coffee-Inspired Happy Hour in Downtown Flagstaff
Kickstand Kafé, a longtime local hangout for Flagstaff’s coffee lovers, is now offering a fresh reason to linger a little longer in the afternoons: a new happy hour menu featuring coffee-inspired cocktails, local brews and a variety of small bites. The expansion comes on the heels of the café receiving its liquor license last October, with happy hour launching around the holidays. Co-owner Catherine Chabot said the new offerings are a response to customer feedback and an effort to boost … [Read more...] about Kickstand Kafé Introduces Coffee-Inspired Happy Hour in Downtown Flagstaff
How to Navigate a Marriage in Crisis
After struggling through her own painful divorce, Becky Whetstone wondered, “Why couldn’t a marriage therapist help us?” Motivated to understand the underlying causes of marital distress and help others manage themselves and their relationship through challenging times, she took a deep dive into marital research and the challenges that tear a relationship apart. “I found a treasure trove,” she said. “I found so much information on marriage crisis and it just drove me crazy that this … [Read more...] about How to Navigate a Marriage in Crisis
Clay and Courage: Officer Emerson Ami Finds Peace in Pottery
Working in law enforcement can be stressful, so each officer must find a way to relieve stress. For Emerson Ami, creating his Hopi Tewa pottery has long been a stress reliever. Now, the pottery has turned into his passion and side business. Ami served as a Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) law enforcement officer for 25 years. He retired from that position, but now works as a probation officer for the Hopi Courts. “I create an array of Hopi Tewa pottery. The process takes a day or two and it’s … [Read more...] about Clay and Courage: Officer Emerson Ami Finds Peace in Pottery
Farm to Table, River to Flame: Chef Laura Chamberlin Caters in Town or in the Field
Sometimes growing up with a little can yield a lot when it comes to learning valuable life lessons. For Culinary Concepts Southwest owner and chef Laura Chamberlin, who was born and raised in Tucson, living meagerly unlocked her culinarian future. “My mother had a wonderful way of transforming the simple food we had into delicious dinners.” “Of course, I didn’t appreciate it at the time. But my mom, who was single, was a really great cook. She was a scratch baker and made wonderful dishes … [Read more...] about Farm to Table, River to Flame: Chef Laura Chamberlin Caters in Town or in the Field
Paws 4 Hope Fundraising Event for Cancer Patients Offers Pet-Friendly Fun
Cancer Support Community Arizona is hosting its annual Paws 4 Hope charity event, 9 a.m.-1 p.m., Saturday, May 3 at Bushmaster Park in Flagstaff. The fun-filled, free community festival, presented by Purina and Warner’s Nursery, is designed to bring together pet lovers, their furry companions and the community for a day of fitness, fun and fundraising, all to support Cancer Support Community Northern Arizona. Cancer Support Community Arizona uplifts and strengthens people impacted by cancer by … [Read more...] about Paws 4 Hope Fundraising Event for Cancer Patients Offers Pet-Friendly Fun
Smashing Glass Ceilings with Your Basketball
Increasing the number of female leaders in the country is harder than we think. When I was younger, the mandate for an organization for which I worked was to “employ more professional women,” although no one told me that when I was being recruited. So, great – I got the job, the title, the salary and the seat at the executive table. I was ecstatic about the opportunity to put my skills to use and further the company mission. And then, right away, the group of all white, older men asked me to … [Read more...] about Smashing Glass Ceilings with Your Basketball
Sephora Beauty Arrives at Kohl’s Flagstaff
Kohl’s is opening a Sephora at its Flagstaff store, as part of a move to bring “prestige beauty” to more than 100 locations across 39 states this spring. The addition of these shop locations completes the Sephora at Kohl’s rollout into more than 1,100 stores. “These Sephora at Kohl’s shops will offer Kohl’s customers a simplified shopping experience with some of the most well-known names in makeup, skincare, hair and fragrance displayed together by category in this carefully curated smaller … [Read more...] about Sephora Beauty Arrives at Kohl’s Flagstaff
Flagstaff Musician Performs in the U.S. Navy Band
Senior Chief Musician Caroline Evans, from Flagstaff, performed with the U.S. Navy Band at Fayette County High School in Fayetteville, Georgia in celebration of the U.S. Navy’s 250th anniversary and the Navy Band’s centennial. The Navy Concert Band, Sea Chanters chorus and Cruisers, a popular music group, joined forces for a series of performances across North Carolina, South Carolina, Alabama, Georgia, Florida and Virginia. The band performed 18 public concerts and two school concerts during … [Read more...] about Flagstaff Musician Performs in the U.S. Navy Band
