Update on zoning change from Flagstaff Councilman Jeff Oravits. Little America 495 acre expansion PASSES 5-2 Evans and Barotz opposed. I am pleased with the outcome of this vote. As it was, Little America had the right to develop hundreds of single family homes on 1 acre parcels. Last nights approved changed this to allow for more housing and a more diversified development. Once again, some argue for more affordable housing and more jobs yet their actions are often contrary to these goals. … [Read more...] about Big Plans for Little America – Council Update
El Portal is Nation’s Top Pet-Friendly Hotel
Acknowledging that Baby Boomers “won’t travel without their dogs,” innkeeper Steve Segner designed the El Portal Sedona Hotel with this canine family member in mind, and his efforts are being recognized on a big-dog scale. USA Today has named El Portal the nation's best pet-friendly hotel. “Today, the dog is even higher in the pecking order – it’s the new last kid,” he said. The Sedona inn beat out acclaimed hotels such as Loews Coronado Bay Resort in San Diego; Fairmont in Washington, … [Read more...] about El Portal is Nation’s Top Pet-Friendly Hotel
The Moon is No Longer Sinagua
“Flagstaff is a fantastic place to be for planetary science,” said Justin Hagerty at the U.S. Geological Survey Astrogeology Science Center. “The [geologic] features that are here in Flagstaff can be seen on other planets and the moon,” the research scientist explained, noting the area’s volcanic fields, cinder cones and Meteor Crater. “The volcanic flows of basalt that you see here are very common on the terrestrial planets – Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars – and the moon. The Grand Canyon can … [Read more...] about The Moon is No Longer Sinagua
Flagstaff Looking to Land Airline
Citing innovate businesses, a flourishing university, thriving tourism industry and globally connected professionals, the City of Flagstaff and community partners are waving in a second airline to do business here and offering a pre-flight bonus of more than three-quarters of a million dollars as a grant to assist with recruitment and start-up costs. In a video presentation for airline executives, Flagstaff Pulliam Airport Director Barney Helmick says, “We’re the city of innovation and … [Read more...] about Flagstaff Looking to Land Airline
Production Jumps at Javelina Leap Vineyard
Entrepreneur Rod Snapp built businesses in Northern Arizona including a Sedona landscape company, a Page/Lake Powell magazine and a Verde Valley bed and breakfast with his eye on creating enough capital to build a vineyard and winery. That dream became a reality in 2006 when Snapp planted his first vineyard in Page Springs with grapes for red wines. With help from an Arizona Commerce Authority 2013 Rural Grant, Javelina Leap Vineyard & Winery – one of the first Northern Arizona … [Read more...] about Production Jumps at Javelina Leap Vineyard
Local Health Care Providers Embracing Change
Health care providers are changing the way they do business in Northern Arizona to meet laws requiring that all medical records are available electronically. Congress passed the 2009 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act Pathway for Meaningful Use, which included requirements and incentives for hospitals and physicians in private practice to implement certified electronic medical records (EMR) technology by 2015. Local medical facilities are starting now. Northern Arizona Healthcare, … [Read more...] about Local Health Care Providers Embracing Change
Desperately Seeking Less Stress
10 Least Stressful Jobs of 2013 Feeling stressed out? You are not alone. According to data in the 2013 Work Stress Survey conducted by Harris Interactive, Americans are more stressed out than ever. The survey of employed adults found that 83 percent are stressed by at least one thing at work, a sharp increase of 10 percentage points when compared with 2012 (73 percent). “It is a choice to stay in a job that is too stressful,” said Dr. Karon Lynn of Trinity Hearing Center in Flagstaff. … [Read more...] about Desperately Seeking Less Stress
Flagstaff – America’s First STEM City
“You can’t get a cup of coffee in Flagstaff without bumping into a scientist,” joked Ira Flatow, National Public Radio Science Friday host broadcasting from the 2011 Flagstaff Festival of Science. Indeed, Flagstaff is full of scientists, techies, engineers and mathematicians. But how to tap this brainpower to support local schools where students often turn away from the STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) career path? Enter Flagstaff STEM Consortium, a collective of more than 80 … [Read more...] about Flagstaff – America’s First STEM City
Arizona Cardinals Flying South
As the Arizona Cardinals scramble to find a home for their 2013 training camp, Flagstaff officials press forward. “From the university’s perspective, we’ve moved on,” said Rich Bowen, Office of the President, Associate Vice President for Economic Development, Sustainability, and Bio-Medical Initiatives at Northern Arizona University. “We loved having [the Cardinals] here, but we need to get on to protecting our local economy, and we’re not without options.” Even though the National Football … [Read more...] about Arizona Cardinals Flying South
Region Serving Spring Break Visitors
While the college revelers head to Daytona or Lake Havasu for Spring Break bikini contests, families seeking winter sports are more apt to visit Northern Arizona for March vacations. According to insiders, Northern Arizona sees a bump in business from family vacationers during spring break. "Over the years, we've seen our occupancy rates climb in March. In March, visitors come for spring break, which is the start of the tourist influx for the year,” said Robin Prema of Prema Group of … [Read more...] about Region Serving Spring Break Visitors